The symptoms of infection with the XBB subtype virus include not only breathing difficulties, headache, sore throat, nasal congestion, systemic pain, fatigue, and fever, but also gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
In 2023, "COVID-19 infection" is still the hottest topic. Many citizens have reported that in their circle of friends, there have been constant recommendations to keep some medications such as "montmorillonite powder" at home these past few days.
Why did the drug "montmorillonite", which is used to treat diarrhea, suddenly hit the hot spot?
According to the data released by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (hereinafter referred to as CDC) on December 30, 2022 (Friday) local time, it is estimated that 40.5% of COVID-19 infection cases in the United States that week were caused by the highly infectious Omikjon subtype XBB.1.5 strain.
The infection rate of XBB.1.5 strain in the current week is close to doubling compared to the previous week (the proportion in the week of December 24, 2022 was only 21.7%). Scientists say that due to its extremely high "immune escape" ability, XBB.1.5 has quickly replaced BQ.1.1 and BQ.1 as the number one pandemic strain in the United States.
According to relevant data, as of December 31, 2022, XBB.1.5 has been discovered in at least 74 countries and regions.
The symptoms of infection with the XBB subtype virus include not only breathing difficulties, headache, sore throat, nasal congestion, systemic pain, fatigue, and fever, but also gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Why does diarrhea occur after being positive?
Why do some people have diarrhea after being positive? On December 19th, He Yuqi, an expert in the Department of Gastroenterology at Beijing Chest Hospital, introduced in the health account of the People's Daily that the gastrointestinal tract is a potential route and target organ for virus transmission. Diarrhea is a common clinical manifestation of digestive system in patients with early COVID-19 infection. Now, the virulence of the Omicron variant has been greatly reduced, and the degree of damage to the lungs and gastrointestinal mucosa has been significantly reduced compared to the early strains. Considering that patients infected with the Omicron virus often experience fever, the activity of digestive enzymes decreases with the increase of body temperature. Therefore, some people may experience digestive symptoms such as decreased appetite, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and anorexia.
In addition to the digestive tract symptoms caused by viruses, the symptomatic therapeutic drugs such as NSAIDs, broad-spectrum antibiotics and traditional Chinese patent medicines and simple preparations taken by patients after fever can also cause gastrointestinal adverse reactions.
He Yuqi reminds that compared to patients without gastrointestinal symptoms, patients with gastrointestinal symptoms need more attention. In addition, due to the high risk of gastrointestinal symptoms in the pediatric patient population, parents of children should pay attention to observing gastrointestinal symptoms and provide targeted medication treatment to avoid delaying the condition.
So, what should I do if I experience diarrhea after becoming positive? The doctor suggests that montmorillonite powder and probiotics can be used appropriately to improve the intestinal microbiota, which can only alleviate diarrhea symptoms in the short term. Traditional Chinese medicine says that the spleen and stomach are the foundation of acquired diseases, controlling the entire digestive system, including the intestine. Preventing diarrhea and stopping diarrhea are the standards, and strengthening the spleen and stomach is the foundation. Regulating the spleen and stomach is the key.
For patients with diarrhea, it is important to supplement water and electrolytes while applying antidiarrheal and microbial therapy to prevent electrolyte disorders. Especially in the treatment of novel coronavirus infection, we should also pay attention to reasonable diet. The reasonable combination of vitamins, folic acid and trace elements can improve the immunity of the body, so as to help patients recover as soon as possible; The most crucial thing in the later stage is to fundamentally enhance resistance, consolidate and care for the foundation of human life - the spleen and stomach!
Note: The text is sourced from online organization - Huasheng Online