The gut feeling during the COVID-19 pandemic

Until the last century, viruses were described as inert particles dependent on a host to exist. Now the view on viruses has changed thanks to advances in modern technology which have enabled a closer investigation of viruses. Human pathogenic viruses have caused billions of deaths throughout the centuries. The latest pandemic, COVID-19, originated in 2019 and was caused by SARS-CoV-2. There is no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic affected humanity in many ways, both physiologically and mentally. The SARS-CoV-2 viral infection leads to an imbalance in the gut microbiota, known as dysbiosis, which can result in acute or chronic enteritis, sometimes followed by anxiety and depression. Thus, the COVID-19 led to a mentally stressed society due to, among others, financial losses, lockdowns, social distancing, etc. Disease outbreaks on the scale of COVID-19 are highly likely to be seen in the future, due to extensive global travel and trade. However, the key lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic can provide knowledge and inspire people to change their health behaviour, preventing the spread of new diseases as they emerge.