Tummy bug advice please ...

[Ann]

I have been ill all through last night with griping pains in my tummy and feeling very nauseous (but thankfully wasn't sick) and I had several bouts of diarrhoea. I have stayed in bed today as I am so weak, and slept most of the day as I got no sleep at all during the night. I also have a very dry tickly cough which I daren't take cough medicine for, in case it makes me sick.

The tummy pains have now mostly gone but I still feel a bit queasy, do you think I should try and eat something? I know dry toast is recommended but I'm not usually very good with bread, is there something else I could try or would you leave eating perhaps until my porridge for breakfast tomorrow? I'm not hungry at all and I have only managed sips of water through the day.

I have used anti-bacterial spray in the bathroom and on surfaces I have touched but wondered is it possible to re-infect myself if I don't wash my pillowcase and sheets? How long would it be before my husband could show signs of getting this (if at all?) Many thanks.

[boxtops]

Have you got any tonic water or soda water, ann? I find that really good for settling a queasy stomach.

[Ann]

Thanks boxtops unfortunately I don't think I have, what about a mixture of bicarbonate of soda and warm water? I had 2 crackerbread crispbreads earlier but don't seem to feel much better, I hope I can get some sleep tonight and don't feel as weak tomorrow. :-(

[welshlibranr]

I would wait till morning to eat if you don't feel like food, your partner may contract it!.......but thats the way tummy bugs go!.....he will survive!...........

[Prudie]

If you have the winter vomitting bud I wouldn't take bicarb, it will taste foul. As long as you keep drinking lots of fluids I wouldn't worry about eating until your body tells you to. My OH got it on a Monday night and I went down with it on the next Friday (despite spraying everything with Dettol and sleeping in another room for 1 night). Your husband may be fine though, I was unlucky.

[Ann]

Thanks all - OH probably gave it to me, although he had it (just for 2 days and was sick overnight) nearly 2 weeks ago, thats why I asked how long you are infectious for. Many thanks, feeling really wretched at the mo, isn't it strange it's just the little illnesses which seem to get you down more .........

[Prudie]

Hope you feel better soon Ann, It took me at least 3 days of lying in bed - I developed a real thing for Ribena.

[starone]

When I had it a couple of weeks ago I was told to drink plenty of water - apparently it helps wash it through you. Also to go on eating normally, if possible. Must admit I didn't eat very much but I tried to drink as much water as possible. It is really weakening. Hope you get well soon Ann.

[Ann]

Thanks to everyone :-)

[Ann]

Update: Feeling better this morning, have had a small amount of porridge and a cuppa which is sitting a bit heavy at the mo, and my tummy sounds like an orchestra tuning up but think I'm back in the land of the living!

[boxtops]

Good - welcome back!

[Ann]

Update again: Managed a few dry crackers and Lucozade yesterday and thought I was getting better but last night felt worse again, my dry tickly cough is almost choking me - what can I take for that, tried various medicines and honey but still coughing every couple of minutes and its given me a headache up the back of my head and shoulders. Got up this morning and had 3 dreadful bouts of diarrhoea, the worst ever, have taken Diacalm and appear to be ok, had 3 Ryvitas for lunch as still don't fancy proper food, but its this cough which is worrying me. I had Sarcoidosis for 16 years so wonder if its returned on my lungs - maybe Sqad could advise me please? It can't be the winter vomiting bug/norovirus as I haven't been sick, just felt queasy with bad diarrhoea, tiredness, weakness and this cough which I've had for 4 days nows. Thanks.