#post-covid #coronavirus #covid-19 test+1

How COVID-19 Affects the Liver

28 ottobre 2025

2 min di lettura

COVID-19 affects all systems and organs. Although we often hear about the respiratory, immune, and cardiovascular systems, the gastrointestinal organs are affected just as much — especially the liver.

Punti chiave

COVID-19 affects all systems and organs.
What happens?
Immunity

Per chi è

Chi esplora Liver attraverso post-covid, coronavirus.

Perché è importante

Questo articolo ti aiuta a orientarti rapidamente, per poi passare a una raccolta o serie se vuoi continuare.

Autore dell'articolo

Dr. Anastasia

Infectious disease doctor

What happens?

COVID-19 enters the host cell through the interaction of its S-protein and human membrane protein (ACE2). This membrane protein is found in the epithelial cells lining the bile ducts. Penetration of S-protein leads to bile duct dysfunction. As a result, the liver cells undergo destruction, inflammation develops, and blood clots form in the liver vessels.

There is a direct correlation between the severity of the disease and liver damage. In the asymptomatic or mild form, the functional impairment of this organ is minimal, and recovery happens quickly. With a severe course of the disease, there is serious damage to the liver that requires a long recovery.

Immunity

In addition to the damage caused by S-protein, the liver is also hit by its immune system. In response to the virus entering the body, immune cells produce cytokine proteins. If their levels become high, systemic inflammation develops, leading to reactive hepatitis.

Treat and cure

During the disease, you may have to take a large number of medications including antivirals, antibiotics, antipyretics, hormones, etc. Most of them have an extremely negative effect on the liver, which causes dysfunction.

How to understand if the liver is affected

The liver has no pain receptors that signal a problem, so a person will not immediately notice it. However, there are symptoms to look out for:

Jaundice of the skin and sclerae of the eyes, as well as a white plaque on the tongue
After the disease, the liver may enlarge, which is felt as a heaviness in the abdomen, pain in the right side, and a feeling of compression of the neighboring organs
When the outflow of bile is disturbed, nausea, bloating, an unpleasant and bitter taste in the mouth, stool disorders and increased gas formation occur
When the liver can no longer cleanse the body of harmful substances, they enter the blood, and there is a general weakness and itchy skin
Decreased appetite, weight loss, constant thirst, and changes in the color of the nails can be less obvious symptoms

If you have any of these symptoms, it is a good idea to consult with your doctor. Your doctor will likely run a series of tests including blood chemistry, ALT/AST levels, alkaline phosphatase, GGT, and a coagulogram since it is crucial to check blood clotting after coronavirus. The size and structure of the liver can be assessed by ultrasound and tomography. Under no circumstances should you try to diagnose and treat yourself! Only a medical specialist can diagnose you and develop a treatment plan

Continua a leggere

Liver#liver

How Medicines Affect the Liver

The number of people self-medicating has been increasing in recent years. In addition to the drugs prescribed by doctors, people take dietary supplements, tablets from advertising, and use folk remedies. A person without proper education can not know whether the medication mix is poisonous for the liver.

Dr. Helga28 ott 2025

Liver#hepatitis

Hepatitis: Ways To Spot the Symptoms

All types of hepatitis can seriously damage the liver. The cunning nature of the disease means that it is not always possible to diagnose it at an early stage before serious damage is done. Here is what you should watch out for.

Dr. Helga28 ott 2025

Coronavirus#coronavirus

COVID-19 Vaccines: Which One Should You Choose?

Currently, three COVID-19 vaccines have been approved in Russia: Sputnik V, EpiVacCorona, and Covivac. This naturally raises the question: which vaccine should you choose? Let’s take a closer look at the specifics, efficacy, and potential side effects of each vaccine.

Dr. Anastasia2 apr 2026

Coronavirus#coronavirus

How To Return to Normal Life After Having COVID-19

COVID-19 often becomes a difficult test, not only during the acute phase of the disease but also during the recovery period. People accustomed to a fast pace need to remember to return to previous activities gradually, gently increasing the load.

Dr. Irene28 ott 2025

Installa Ornament non solo per leggere questi articoli, ma anche per monitorare la tua salute, archiviare i risultati degli esami e accedere ad altre funzioni utili

Installa Ornament