https://www.cureus.com/articles/93622-gastrointestinal-complications-of-covid-19-vaccines
Gastrointestinal Complications of COVID-19 Vaccines
Abstract
Much of the control over the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been achieved by mass vaccination against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the etiologic agent that causes COVID-19. The COVID-19 mRNA (messenger RNA) vaccines are relatively newly approved and have been widely used in the US since they first became available. However, with passing time, data regarding adverse events associated with the mRNA vaccines have become clearer. Vaccines are safe in general, and the benefits outweigh the risks of adverse events. In this case report, we present the first documented case report of post-vaccination acute diverticulitis and colon micro-perforation following Moderna booster dose (Moderna Inc, Cambridge, USA) in a young adult. Vaccine recipients should be educated on vaccine-associated gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events in order to reduce morbidity and mortality. We also recommend that vaccine recipients with pre-existing GI disorders should be carefully monitored for the worsening of pre-existing conditions post-COVID-19 vaccination.
Conclusions
GI symptoms are not uncommon in patients with COVID-19, with the most common being diarrhea, followed by abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, GI bleeding, and worsening of pre-existing GI conditions. Vaccines play a vital role in reducing overall morbidity and mortality from the disease. The benefits of the vaccines certainly outweigh the risks of adverse events. With time, the incidence of COVID-19 vaccine-related adverse events is becoming clearer. Most of the reported GI tract-related adverse events post-COVID-19 vaccination are non-life-threatening and transient. COVID-19 vaccine recipients should be properly educated on the complete adverse event profile of the vaccines. We also recommend vaccine recipients with pre-existing GI tract diseases, including those with a history of GI bleeding, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or peptic ulcer disease should be warned of the potential GI tract-related adverse events and closely monitored. Appropriate hydration should be promoted post-vaccination in addition to replacing electrolytes (with oral rehydration solution) in cases of intractable diarrhea, or when vaccine recipients experience GI bleeding, prompt medical attention should be sought to prevent hemorrhagic shock and reduce mortality/morbidity.