Gastrointestinal symptoms and liver injury of COVID-19

ABSTRACT

COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-COV-2, which characterized with typical respiratory symptoms. In addition to the respiratory system injury, SARS-COV-2 may also invade other organs that express the cell surface receptor ACE2. Digestive system is a susceptible target of SARS-COV-2. Most patients show clinical symptoms of impaired digestive system during the course of the disease. Gastrointestinal symptoms of COVID-19 include anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and liver damage. Patients with abnormal symptoms of the digestive system have a greater chance of progressing to severe or critical illness, a worse prognosis, and a higher risk of death. This paper aims to discuss the digestive symptoms of COVID-19 infection, so as to improve the attention to the digestive system abnormalities and gastrointestinal symptoms of COVID-19 patients during clinical diagnosis, treatment and prevention and control.