Covid symptom to know as vaccinated people suffer 'early' sign of the virus

Recent Covid cases are reporting diarrhoea as up to 20 percent are experiencing the digestive issue, according to a health report.

The ZOE Health Study, which compiles information from those infected with Covid to determine the most common symptoms, says people who have contracted Delta or Omicron variant - and have up to three vaccinations - are experiencing the bowel symptom.

With restrictions lifted and testing changed, it is vital that people become aware of new coronavirus symptoms to help curb the spread of infection.

Diarrhoea is an initial sign of the virus seen on the first day of infection which gets stronger through the first week, reports the research project.

ZOE stated: "In the Alpha wave, nearly a third of adults aged over 35 (30%) reported experiencing diarrhoea with COVID.

"That's fallen with subsequent variants and vaccination, with up to one in five people (16-20%) experiencing diarrhoea with either Delta or Omicron if they have had either two or three doses of the vaccine."

The bowel symptom has been reported as an early sign of Covid (Getty Images/EyeEm)

Findings suggest that Covid-19 can cause diarrhoea "because the virus can invade cells in the gut and disrupt its normal function."

The bowel problem lasts about two days but can remain for up to a week in some adults, reports ZOE.

In the early stages of the pandemic, diarrhoea was found to be a lesser seen symptom, but there was a rise of people reporting gastrointestinal symptoms in January 2022.

This was partly related to the Omicron wave, but it is suggested that there was a surge of non-Covid stomach bugs circulating at this time.

It is important to stay home if you think you are ill (Getty Images)

"If you have diarrhoea it could be COVID, especially if you have other symptoms like a headache and loss of appetite," the report added. "If you have diarrhoea, it’s important to keep drinking and eating if you can. The NHS has more advice for treating diarrhoea.

"Diarrhoea increases the risk of spreading infection to others in your household, so it's essential to wash your hands thoroughly and keep bathrooms clean and tidy."

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