What I've Learned About Long COVID: A Gut-First Framework — 2. Epithelial Damage Isn’t Just Local

When the virus infects your colonocytes (the gut lining cells), it doesn&#8217;t just create a localized wound. It triggers direct epithelial damage, barrier dysfunction, and loss of tight junction integrity. Your gut lining&#8212;which is supposed to be a selective gatekeeper&#8212;becomes leaky. This is the foundation for everything that comes next.