Stomach Flu - how long?

[Goldie]

Hi all -

DH is going into day 3 of what we think may be stomach flu. Is anyone else finding the flu this year to be lasting this long? He really doesn't seem to be getting much better, so I'm kind of concerned.

[badunnin]

Hi all -

DH is going into day 3 of what we think may be stomach flu. Is anyone else finding the flu this year to be lasting this long? He really doesn't seem to be getting much better, so I'm kind of concerned.

The bug that hit our school had kids out for 4 days with very high fevers (103-105), vomitting and diarrhea.

[blazedog]

There really isn't a stomach flu -- there are various bacterial or viral agents that cause intestinal distress of one kind of another.

There are a LOT of noroviruses going around -- this is a highly infectious disease which is spread very quickly among those in close quarters -- cruise ships (several notable episodes), schools, nursing homes. That is what has been going around causing severe cases of what is called "stomach flu".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norwalk_virus_group

The virus is spread by fecal contamination (as opposed to nasal exhalations) and has a long life outside the body -- which is why it is so contagious -- I believe the cold virus doesn't survive outside its host for that long.

Really nothing you can do except wash scrupulously -- hand sanitzers are a great help as well since you can use them whenever you touch ANYTHING -- since anything can be contaminated -- hard to enforce with kids who tend to have questionable hygiene though.:)

[Goldie]

Thanks badunnin - I feel a little better now! DH had a bypass last year and is on all sorts of meds so I'm never quite sure what's going on with him. I won't panic yet! But it should be an interesting flight home today...:( Kind of ruined his vacation too, poor guy.

[lindrusso]

I've seen intestinal things last from 24 hours to much longer. I remember having something that lasted a good 5 days.

Just keep him drinking lots of liquids to avoid dehydration (not that you don't already know that - it just seems like the thing to say ;) ).

Sorry it happened on vacation - that's no fun at all!

[Goldie]

There really isn't a stomach flu -- there are various bacterial or viral agents that cause intestinal distress of one kind of another.

There are a LOT of noroviruses going around -- this is a highly infectious disease which is spread very quickly among those in close quarters -- cruise ships (several notable episodes), schools, nursing homes. That is what has been going around causing severe cases of what is called "stomach flu".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norwalk_virus_group


Thanks for the link Blazedog, great info. Yup - I would bet this is the culprit. We had both raw oysters and sushi in the days preceding this. Luckily DH made it home OK yesterday, thanks to lots of Pepto, but he's still having problems. Just glad I didn't get it -- yet :eek: