COVID-19 resurgence: Could stomach ache be a symptom? Experts warn of gastrointestinal issues linked to JN.1 variant
COVID-19 cases are on the rise in Southeast Asian countries, including Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong and even China. However, India has also been seeing a COVID-19 resurgence for the past week. On May 27, Tuesday, the total number of Covid cases has reached the mark of 1010; however, according to experts, these are mild cases with subtle symptoms; hence, there is nothing to panic about.
Currently, the rise in cases is cited to new variants called NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 variants, which are under observation by the World Health Organisation (WHO), and so far there is no reason for concern that has been flagged yet.
What is the JN.1 variant of COVID-19?
JN.1 is a subvariant of Omicron that evolves from the BA.2.86 variant and is also known as Pirola. This variant was first identified in Luxembourg in 2023, and since then it has spread to other parts of the world, and now India.
⚠️ BREAKING: China 🇨🇳 Hit by New COVID Surge Driven by Omicron XDV and NB.1.8.1 Variants Hospitals Overwhelmed, Beijing Warns of Delayed Response pic.twitter.com/rV94kHq3T3
Common symptoms of JN.1
Some symptoms of JN.1 are similar to earlier variants of Omicron, and some include:
Fever or chills
Dry cough
Sore throat
Fatigue
Headache
Runny or blocked nose
Muscle aches
Shortness of breath
Gastrointestinal issues are a symptom of JN. 1 variant of COVID-19?
The above-mentioned symptoms usually appear 2 to 14 days after the exposure and are often mild. 'The JN.1 variant of COVID-19 has shown a different set of symptoms compared to earlier strains, with gastrointestinal (GI) issues being more commonly reported. Unlike the original variants that primarily caused respiratory symptoms like cough, fever, and breathlessness, JN.1 has been linked to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea in some patients,' warns Dr. Raosaheb Rathod, Consultant Gastroenterologist, Hepatologist & Therapeutic Endoscopist, Medicover Hospitals, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai.
The JN.1 variant of COVID-19 is characterised by gastrointestinal problems as a symptom, something which was not entirely new but has become more common and pronounced than with previous variants. 'This can be due to how the virus has evolved to affect different systems of the body,' Dr Rathod said.
How to differentiate between gastrointestinal symptoms of COVID-19 and stomach infection?
The JN.1 variant appears to have a stronger link with the gastrointestinal tract, possibly due to changes in the way it binds to receptors in the gut lining. According to Dr. Rathod, 'It may be causing inflammation in the digestive system. While these symptoms are generally mild, they can be confusing and easily mistaken for common stomach infections.'
'Remember, the monsoon has begun now, and stomach infections are common during the monsoon. So, making awareness and timely testing important for accurate diagnosis and care. It is necessary to consult the doctor and go for COVID-19 testing in case of symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea that persist for a day or two,' he adds.
Risk factors for gastrointestinal discomfort and COVID-19
Although the GI symptoms existed in previous COVID-19 strains as well, they were less frequent and mostly mild in nature. However, these symptoms appear to be more noticeable and more common in people with JN.1. 'The precise explanation for this change is probably because mutations in the virus have occurred, more so in the spike protein, enabling the virus to impact the body differently,' says Dr Pranav Honnavara Srinivasan, consultant surgical gastroenterologist, Fortis Hospitals Nagarbhavi.
The problems presented are mild gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea, reduced appetite, loose stools or mild abdominal pain. 'Risk factors for serious illness include being old, having comorbidities, or being immunocompromised. Immunisation, boosters, and other measures such as masking and hygiene can reduce risks,' adds Dr. Srinivasan.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economic Times
2 hours ago
- Economic Times
Amazon, not the first, nor the last to attempt disruption. 5 diagnostics stocks: From downside forecast, to upside as high as 67%
Just a couple of weeks back, there were headlines about rising Covid cases in Southeast Asian countries. And alarm bells started ringing in India. Almost in step with this development, a domestic diagnostic stock again came into the limelight, with some reports mentioning how the company is getting ready for another surge in Covid. Fortunately, there was no surge of cases in India. And there certainly was no panic. So, it is probably good that FONT SIZE SAVE PRINT COMMENT
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
BHU anaesthesiologist Dr Dubey felicitated at Bharat-Bhutan Friendship Summit
VARANASI: Dr Rajeev Kumar Dubey, Professor of Anaesthesiology at Banaras Hindu University , was conferred the prestigious Vishisht Chikitsa Seva Ratna Award during the South Asian Excellence Awards programme held as part of the 6th Bharat-Bhutan Friendship Summit in Thimphu on Sunday. The award was presented by Daso Birendra Chimoria, Member of the National Assembly of Bhutan, and Tashi Tenzin, Officiating Director of the Tourism Council of Bhutan, in the presence of dignitaries from India and Bhutan. Dr Dubey, a renowned physician, author, and social influencer, received the award in recognition of his distinguished services in the field of medicine, especially for his dedication during the COVID-19 pandemic and his contributions to public health and medical education. Expressing his gratitude, Dr Dubey stated, 'This honour reflects the collective spirit of healthcare professionals and their commitment to humanity.'
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Winter viruses can trigger heart attack or stroke, our study shows. It's another good reason to get flu or COVID shot
Melbourne: Winter is here, along with cold days and the inevitable seasonal surge in respiratory viruses. But it's not only the sniffles we need to worry about. Heart attacks and strokes also tend to rise during the winter months. In new research out this week we show one reason why. Our study shows catching common respiratory viruses raises your short-term risk of a heart attack or stroke. In other words, common viruses, such as those that cause flu and COVID, can trigger them. Wait, viruses can trigger heart attacks? Traditional risk factors such as smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and lack of exercise are the main reasons for heart attacks and strokes. And rates of heart attacks and strokes can rise in winter for a number of reasons. Factors such as low temperature, less physical activity, more time spent indoors - perhaps with indoor air pollutants - can affect blood clotting and worsen the effects of traditional risk factors. But our new findings build on those from other researchers to show how respiratory viruses can also be a trigger. The theory is respiratory virus infections set off a heart attack or stroke, rather than directly cause them. If traditional risk factors are like dousing a house in petrol, the viral infection is like the matchstick that ignites the flame. For healthy, young people, a newer, well-kept house is unlikely to spontaneously combust. But an older or even abandoned house with faulty electric wiring needs just a spark to lead to a blaze. People who are particularly vulnerable to a heart attack or stroke triggered by a respiratory virus are those with more than one of those traditional risk factors, especially older people. What we did and what we found Our team conducted a meta-analysis (a study of existing studies) to see which respiratory viruses play a role in triggering heart attacks and strokes, and the strength of the link. This meant studying more than 11,000 scientific papers, spanning 40 years of research. Overall, the influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID) were the main triggers. If you catch the flu, we found the risk of a heart attack goes up almost 5.4 times and a stroke by 4.7 times compared with not being infected. The danger zone is short - within the first few days or weeks - and tapers off with time after being infected. Catching COVID can also trigger heart attacks and strokes, but there haven't been enough studies to say exactly what the increased risk is. We also found an increased risk of heart attacks or strokes with other viruses, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), enterovirus and cytomegalovirus. But the links are not as strong, probably because these viruses are less commonly detected or tested for. What's going on? Over a person's lifetime, our bodies wear and tear and the inside wall of our blood vessels becomes rough. Fatty build-ups (plaques) stick easily to these rough areas, inevitably accumulating and causing tight spaces. Generally, blood can still pass through, and these build-ups don't cause issues. Think of this as dousing the house in petrol, but it's not yet alight. So how does a viral infection act like a matchstick to ignite the flame? Through a cascading process of inflammation. High levels of inflammation that follow a viral infection can crack open a plaque. The body activates blood clotting to fix the crack but this clot could inadvertently block a blood vessel completely, causing a heart attack or stroke. Some studies have found fragments of the COVID virus inside the blood clots that cause heart attacks - further evidence to back our findings. We don't know whether younger, healthier people are also at increased risk of a heart attack or stroke after infection with a respiratory virus. That's because people in the studies we analysed were almost always older adults with at least one of those traditional risk factors, so were already vulnerable. The bad news is we will all be vulnerable eventually, just by getting older. What can we do about it? The triggers we identified are mostly preventable by vaccination. There is good evidence from clinical trials the flu vaccine can reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke, especially if someone already has heart problems. We aren't clear exactly how this works. But the theory is that avoiding common infections, or having less severe symptoms, reduces the chances of setting off the inflammatory chain reaction. COVID vaccination could also indirectly protect against heart attacks and strokes. But the evidence is still emerging. Heart attacks and strokes are among Australia's biggest killers. If vaccinations could help reduce even a small fraction of people having a heart attack or stroke, this could bring substantial benefit to their lives, the community, our stressed health system and the economy. What should I do? At-risk groups should get vaccinated against flu and COVID. Pregnant women, and people over 60 with medical problems, should receive RSV vaccination to reduce their risk of severe disease. So if you are older or have predisposing medical conditions, check Australia's National Immunisation Program to see if you are eligible for a free vaccine. For younger people, a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and balanced diet will set you up for life. Consider checking your heart age (a measure of your risk of heart disease), getting an annual flu vaccine and discuss COVID boosters with your GP. (The Conversation)
