5 food-related Covid-19 symptoms which patients report having

While multiple vaccines have been developed against Covid-19, with high efficacy rates, the virus still looms about, and may never really go away.

Covid-19 infection presents typical symptoms like dry cough, fever and chills, much like a respiratory virus, there are also some different symptoms which can perturb patients, reports the Times of India.

A Covid-19 infection could also impact diet and eating habits, which is also common with viral infections. Here are some food-related symptoms Covid-19 patients are reported to show:

​Upset stomach

According to a review carried out by three Chinese hospitals, 1 in every 5 Covid-19 patients report suffering from gastrointestinal symptoms including vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach ache.

There has been a strong link suggested between Covid-19's impact on the gut microbes, and the ability for the infection to spread via faecal transmission. Though the symptoms don't mean that one has Covid-19, but its best to use a separate bathroom until they get the test results.

It should also be noted that people with gastrointestinal symptoms may take longer to clear the virus from the body as compared to those who did not have any gastrointestinal symptoms, statistics have suggested.

​Loss of appetite

Experiencing sudden, or lowered appetite with a viral infection is common. With Covid-19, appetite loss could take an extensive toll, more so in people who suffer from a loss of smell or taste and find it extremely difficult to digest common food items.

Anosmia and aphagia could make people hate the things they usually like to have, and impair, or alter senses for long. Hence, impacting eating habits.

In a study conducted in China, it was observed that over 80% of Covid-19 positive patients reported having no appetite days after being infected. Another side-effect which has been observed in weight loss and bad metabolism, caused by bad eating habits.

It has been found that green tea contains chemical compounds with the ability to block the function of SARS-CoV-2 enzyme. Thus, the beverage is a great way to stay hydrated if you are not feeling like to eat or drink anything else.

Nausea

Just like diarrhoea and loss of appetite, nausea isn't a typically common Covid-19 symptom, but one which has been witnessed of late. A study conducted on 138 patients in Wuhan, found that 10% people had nausea and diarrhoea, two days prior to the development of fever.

For some, it may act as the only sign of active infection, and in many cases, a sign of severe infection.

Sore throat

A sore throat can be easily confused with allergies like cold and flu. A sore throat indicates that one has a throat infection, which is also called pharyngitis. It could also make it difficult for a person to consume food and drinks, which may irritate the passageways, or induce pain upon eating.

​Loss of smell and taste

Loss of smell and taste is now being recognised as one of the most common symptoms of Covid-19.

This symptom can develop between two to 14 days after coronavirus exposure. As per the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention, unlike digestion issues, fatigue and muscle ache, losing one's sense of smell and taste is not painful or worrisome.

However, it is something that can take the longest to recover one and plague a patient psychologically, since there is no treatment or medicine available to cure it.

For patients who experience acute loss of sense of smell and taste, smell training and usage of aromatherapy oils are suggested, which can "rewire" the brain to recognize old, familiar scents and tastes.