While COVID-19 cases have been mushrooming the world over, researchers continue to analyse patient data to understand the potential risks, support clinical trials, and avert deaths among the infected. A paper titled ‘Implications of COVID-19 for patients with pre-existing digestive diseases’ published in The Lancet provides insights into how the virus infects the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This article outlines the important points from the article.

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The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has impacted people around the world. However, what is unnerving about the infection is that its effects are not limited to the respiratory system. Several studies by researchers have shown that disease severity can cause haematological changes and even worsen the condition of patients with digestive system diseases.

The USA’s first reported case of COVID-19 was found to have SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the stool specimen. This hinted at the virus infecting the GI tract, too and since then researchers have also been conducting studies to analyse the repercussions on the digestive system.