Norovirus?

[daffy654]

Just wanting a bit of advice on whether Norovirus is what my family has had for the last few days.

It started with my 2 year old grandson who had explosive diarrhoea for a day, my oh then had vomiting, diarhoea and muscle aches, I then got the vomiting (no diarrhoea), muscle aches, extreme lethargy and blinding headache yesterday and today. My 14 year old son came home from school yesterday feeling ok, within 30 minutes he was vomiting and had horrible diarrhoea, poor lad didn't make it to the toilet on more than one occasion. :(

I don't want to involve my GP as I know he always errs on the side of caution and would want me admitted to hospital due to my pre existing lung disease. Our local hospital has to shut wards to visitors every year because of norovirus.

Is there anything I should be doing other than ensuring good hydration to help us get rid of this virus?

[China Doll]

Did you have a temperature too? With the headache it does sound like it might be... I'm not so good with the treatment of it but I found this link. SOunds like you're doing all the right things to me.

http://www.nhs.uk/Con.../Pages/Treatment.aspx

[boxtops]

Saffy, there are viruses going round at the moment, it could be - but there are also some nasty short-lived tummy bugs as well.

I don't understand why you're not involving your GP. a) they would want to know if there is norovirus in your locality, and b) it sounds as if you need to, for your own health.

[daffy654]

We all had a high temperature, alternately very hot and dripping in sweat then shivering like crazy. I'm the only one who seems to still be suffering though, i'm aching all over and my head is still really hurting, all I want to do is sleep but there is nobody else here to look after my son as oh had to go back to work :(

[China Doll]

Maybe you should let your GP know daffy, if you try to do too much then maybe you could make yourself a lot worse :-/

Is there absolutely no friend locally who could pop in for an hour or two later to give you some rest?

[nannybooby]

Poor old you(S) Daffy sounds like it to me ,had it myself once and that was enough! Your headache an temperature might be dehydration ,you need more than just water idealy dioaralite or v weak apple juice witha pich of salt.Dont suffer in silence after 3days you should feel a liitle onthe road to recovery if you dont call your GP its what hes there for.

[daffy654]

The only friend I have is my oh and as I said, he has to work. God that makes me sound really sad. lol

I can picture the conversation with my GP now...

GP: you need to go to hospital.
ME: no I don't, I'm not going.
GP: fair enough.


Its the same every time.

[bagpuss63]

fair enough if you don't want hospital-had enough myself, but maybe at least tell GP, like China says-let authorites know its about-do you know if any of sons classmates have it? if he was ill so quickly after school, his mates might also have it-being together all day

[daffy654]

I will endeavour to inform my GP on monday then as they aren't open at weekends.

Bagpuss, I have no idea if any of my son's friends have been ill, as you say it is very possible he will have passed on the bug.

Nannybooby, we have been keeping hydrated with isotonic sports drinks, they definitely seemed to help.

Thanks for your answers everyone.

[China Doll]

Feel better soon... If you lived closer I would happily pop round so you could get some kip... Might come round in nuclear fallout gear though just to be on the safe side! :c)

[jno]

no walk-in centres anywhere near? They're usually open at weekends.

[nannybooby]

Walk in centre not a good idea on lots of levels how about the NHS Helpline?

[cazzz1975]

my boys have suffered a bug that is similar to the norovirus (vomitting and fierce diarrhoea, temperature ) followed by weakness, the difference was that after a couple of days they were still being sick and had diarrhoea but less explosive, then once that abaited they were weak and fatigued for a week.

Im not sure what it was but they had their last dose a month or so ago, of course being in school they cant escape these things :(

[jno]

I've always done just fine with walk-in centres.

[daffy654]

The nearest walk in centre is about 15 miles away and i'm in no state to get there. It may be a good thing tht I can't as i'd hate to spread the virus even further via contact with the general public, especially sick people in a medical centre.

[daffy654]

I've just been reading up on Norovirus and all articles I read say to NOT visit the doctor as the risk of infecting others is very high. It is a self limiting virus that should clear the system within 60 hours of first symptoms, so hopefully i'll feel better soonish.
Strangely, it seems people of blood group O are likely to be more susceptible to the virus (and have worse symptoms) and I am O Negative.
Amazing what you can learn from t'internet. :)