Q. Could the gastrointestinal symptoms in me mean that my disease had progressed to the next level?
Hi doctor,
I started having gastrointestinal symptoms. I tested myself for COVID the last Sunday, and I was positive. I did not think I had COVID. Except for the low-grade fever, sinus drainage, and a throat tickle, I feel fine. I cough maybe two or three times, like one cough, and sometimes there is a little bit of light yellow phlegm, which I attribute to the sinus drainage. I am trying to figure out, five to six days after the first symptoms, how will COVID progress to another level? Kindly help.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
Thanks for your query. The crucial factor is whether you have been vaccinated against COVID-19 (two primary vaccines with or without booster dose with at least about four to six weeks gap from the second primary dose to develop optimal antibody levels) and also influenza vaccine this year, mainly the former. Completion of these vaccinations prevents severe disease, although it cannot protect from the occurrence of the infection and the disease. Your symptoms are suggestive of a mixed infection COVID-19 (Omicron subvariant unless you have done triple gene test showing other variants), influenza, and maybe superimposed gastrointestinal bacterial infection on COVID-19 gastroenteritis. Kindly elaborate on your gastrointestinal issues and share your clinical reports and records to discuss further.
Consult a specialist doctor, discuss with them, and take medications with their consent.
Thanks.
The Probable causes:
COVID-19 infection.
Investigations to be done:1. Blood investigation - Complete blood count (CBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and D-dimer tests.
2. Chest X-ray.
The differential diagnoses are influenza or gastroenteritis.
Probable diagnosis:The probable diagnosis is COVID-19 infection.
Treatment plan:1. Capsule Saccharomyces boulardii 250 mg twice daily (after lunch and dinner) for six days.
2. Capsule Pantoprazole 20 mg and Domperidone 30 mg daily in the morning (empty stomach).
3. Tablet Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) 500 mg one to two tablets (Si Opus Sit - SOS) on fever with a body temperature above 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit and not exceeding 2000 mg/day or four times six hourly administration of 500 mg).
4. Tablet Vitamin C 500 mg twice daily for 14 days.
5. Tablet Azithromycin 500 mg once daily for three days.
In case of unremitting fever and other symptoms beyond three days, other alternative medicines need to be administered.
The preventive measures for COVID-19 are hot water gargles and steam inhalation.
Hi doctor,
I do not have any blood work to share. I had a very loose stool, chills, and a headache six days back, but all of that resolved in less than 24 hours. The next day, I was very tired and did not suspect COVID as I had not slept well for a few nights. Four days back, I felt a little warm and took my temperature; it was 100 degrees Fahrenheit. I then took a covid test, and the positive line appeared immediately. I have taken tests each day since. Basically, at this point, I do not feel like I have anything at all, except for sinus drainage, which I have had for many years. Not short of breath, the pulse oximeter readings range between 98 and 100 %. I have a slight tickle in my throat, which rarely elicits a cough. Also, I have not been vaccinated and, to my knowledge, have not had COVID in the past. I am asking about progression because I have the opportunity to take the monoclonal antibodies, but I do not want to take them if I do not need them. Also, I do not want to use a dose that someone in need could use. I do not have any medical conditions other than being overweight. Thank you.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Thanks for your input. I suggest you take the tests mentioned in my earlier message. I also suggest you not repeat COVID 19 tests every day. Have you done reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) preferably triple gene in the laboratory or a home kit rapid antigen test (RAT)? If you took the home kit RAT test, I suggest you undertake the RT-PCR test in a laboratory as the accuracy of the RAT test is low. Also, kindly get those suggested medicines and start taking them (at least the first four of them may not need a local prescription).
Additionally, for diarrhea, I suggest you add tablet Racecadotril 100 mg twice daily (after food for three to four days).
The Probable causes:
COVID-19 infection.
Investigations to be done:1. Blood investigation - Complete blood count (CBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and D-dimer tests.
2. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with nasopharyngeal oral swab triple gene test.
3. Chest X-ray (posteroanterior and lateral views).
The differential diagnoses are influenza or gastroenteritis.
Probable diagnosis:The probable diagnosis is COVID-19 infection.
Treatment plan:1. Capsule Saccharomyces boulardii 250 mg twice daily (after lunch and dinner) for six days.
2. Capsule Pantoprazole 20 mg and Domperidone 30 mg daily in the morning (empty stomach).
3. Tablet Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) 500 mg one to two tablets (Si Opus Sit - SOS) on fever with a body temperature above 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit and not exceeding 2000 mg/day or four times six hourly administration of 500 mg).
4. Tablet Vitamin C 500 mg twice daily for 14 days.
5. Tablet Azithromycin 500 mg once daily for three days.
The preventive measures for COVID-19 are hot water gargles, steam inhalation, and taking a lot of curds.
Regarding follow up:Follow-up after taking the tests and reports.
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