This transcript has been edited for clarity.
Hello. I'm Dr David Johnson, professor of medicine and chief of gastroenterology at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia.
COVID-19 has been with us for 2 years now, with 300 million people infected and a resulting 3.5 million deaths worldwide at the time of this recording. In the United States, COVID-19 has infected 60 million citizens and caused 850,000 deaths. [Editor's note: As of the date of publication, COVID-19 has infected over 370 million people and caused 5.6 million deaths worldwide. In the United States, it has infected more than 74 million people and caused over 880,000 deaths.] These are undoubtedly catastrophic consequences.
During this time, we've also come to learn that COVID-19 infects — and has clear implications upon — the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
With that in mind, I wanted to update you on some of the more recent studies in this area, which I think you'll find applicable to your clinical practice.
A Look at Some of the Latest Data
GI symptoms resulting from COVID-19 can persist from anywhere out to approximately 6 months or longer. Changes evident in the gut biome indicate that its effects are apparent well after the virus is cleared.
New Pandemic Peril? Pretending It's Over as Case Numbers Rise
COMMENTARY
Recent Data Bring COVID's Gastrointestinal Tolls Into Focus
David A. Johnson, MD
DisclosuresJanuary 28, 2022
This transcript has been edited for clarity.
Hello. I'm Dr David Johnson, professor of medicine and chief of gastroenterology at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia.
COVID-19 has been with us for 2 years now, with 300 million people infected and a resulting 3.5 million deaths worldwide at the time of this recording. In the United States, COVID-19 has infected 60 million citizens and caused 850,000 deaths. [Editor's note: As of the date of publication, COVID-19 has infected over 370 million people and caused 5.6 million deaths worldwide. In the United States, it has infected more than 74 million people and caused over 880,000 deaths.] These are undoubtedly catastrophic consequences.
During this time, we've also come to learn that COVID-19 infects — and has clear implications upon — the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
With that in mind, I wanted to update you on some of the more recent studies in this area, which I think you'll find applicable to your clinical practice.
A Look at Some of the Latest Data
GI symptoms resulting from COVID-19 can persist from anywhere out to approximately 6 months or longer. Changes evident in the gut biome indicate that its effects are apparent well after the virus is cleared.
Medscape Gastroenterology © 2022 WebMD, LLC
Any views expressed above are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of WebMD or Medscape.
Cite this: David A. Johnson. Recent Data Bring COVID's Gastrointestinal Tolls Into Focus - Medscape - Jan 28, 2022.
Tables
Authors and Disclosures
Authors and Disclosures
Author(s)
David A. Johnson, MD
Professor of Medicine, Chief of Gastroenterology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia
Disclosure: David A. Johnson, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships:
Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant, or trustee for: WebMD/Medscape; CRH Medical; American College of Gastroenterology Research Institute
Received income in an amount equal to or greater than $250 from: WebMD/Medscape; CRH Medical; American College of Gastroenterology Research Institute