What are COVID Poops?

Every week, we're learning more and more about COVID-19 and its lasting effects on our bodies. Today, we're learning about how it may affect our gut.

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By Stephanie Cornwell, Editorial Assistant Every week, we're learning more and more about COVID-19 and its lasting effects on our bodies. Today, we're learning about how it may affect our gut. Today's Top Story COVID-19 Could Linger in Gut for Months For a small number of people, COVID-19 can stay in their gut for months after infection. A recent Stanford study found that some former COVID patients continue to shed the virus in their feces for as long as seven months.   This study could help us better understand long COVID.   Ami Bhatt, MD, PhD, an author of the study, said that COVID could be hiding in different areas of the body and lead to long COVID. It may also explain why some people report diarrhea and vomiting when infected with the coronavirus. This could vary between cases, as Omicron appears to cause more gut issues than previous strains. Know More Health authorities have been tracking COVID-19 cases and trends with wastewater surveillance. This can serve as a more accurate way to collect data from infected people who didn't get tested or didn't report their positive test results. Feel Better COVID-19 is mainly transmitted via respiratory droplets. So don't worry—you're very unlikely to get a COVID infection via fecal matter as long as you wash your hands properly. READ MORE Steven Thrasher: Mask Mandate Was the Last Line of Defense for 'The Viral Underclass' After news of the federal mask mandate being dropped last week, Steven Thrasher, PhD, spoke with Verywell on his upcoming book, "The Viral Underclass: The Human Toll When Inequality and Disease Collide." In his book, he draws on his study of the racialization and criminalization of HIV to explore the effect on social inequalities in the COVID-19 pandemic. Thrasher says that pandemic response has been about maintaining the comfort of the upper class rather than keeping the most vulnerable safe. READ MORE Answers to Common Questions About Unprotected Sex Unprotected sex, or sexual intercourse without contraception, can have lasting health effects. Learn about contraception options, pregnancy facts, STI symptom progression, and safer sex practices. READ MORE   Keep Reading   ■ Why Kids Make the Best Philosophers. The Atlantic     ■ Epiphany in the Baby-Food Aisle. The Cut     ■ Hybrid Work is Here. These Tips Can Help You and Your Team Thrive. NPR More From Verywell Living With Asthma and Advocating for Others READ MORE COVID and Heart Attack Share Similar Neurological Symptoms READ MORE Major Travel Authorities Drop Mask Mandate Following Court Ruling READ MORE   How'd we do? If you have any feedback, send us a note at   feedback@verywell.com.         You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Verywell Health newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here.   A DOTDASH MEREDITH BRAND 28 Liberty Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY, 10005   © 2022 verywellhealth.com - All rights reserved. Privacy Policy