Gut Debut in Children

As a follow up to this week’s post about augmenting our immune system against rotavirus, we look at another virus that appears to sometimes enter through our GI tract.  Researchers in China describe the presentations of children ultimately diagnosed with COVID 19 infection, but who did not show initial respiratory symptoms.  During the outbreak, scientists have been madly searching for answers to COVID 19’s spread and mechanisms of illness.  These Chinese researchers followed children admitted for other medical issues during the pandemic.  Some were later diagnosed with COVID 19 infection.  In one series, 4 of 5 children had digestive symptoms as the first symptoms of the infection.

GI symptoms have been noted in other studies and are not surprising given the presence of cell receptors on the intestinal cells which allow the viral entry.  Other articles I recently posted described the potential effects of fermented food intake on COVID infections as well as the possible connection between a bacteria called Prevotella and COVID 19.  While I am saddened by the deaths and chaos caused by COVID 19, I am glad conventional medicine is coming to recognize the intricate connection between gut bacteria and viral immunity.  Hopefully we can learn something that helps us prepare for 2020 and beyond.

Original Article:

Xiaofang Cai, Yaoling Ma, Songbo Li, Yan Chen, Zhihui Rong, Wenbin Li. Clinical Characteristics of 5 COVID-19 Cases With Non-respiratory Symptoms as the First Manifestation in Children. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 2020; 8 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2020.00258

Thanks to Science Daily:

Frontiers. “Coronavirus infection in children — it may not start with a cough: Gastrointestinal symptoms, coupled with a fever or history of exposure to COVID-19, could indicate coronavirus infection in children.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 12 May 2020. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200512092814.htm>.