gastric flu

[marion29]

should a person still have gastric flu after 5 days?

[woofgang]

if you are talking about continued diahorroea and vomiting then no, this is serious, get a doctor. Can they keep anything down, even water? are they dehydrated? (pinch skin gently on back of hand, does it spring back flat or stay peaked up? If you are saying that they are no longer throwing up/running to the loo but still feeling unwell and not up to eating, then yes the washed out can't do anything feeling can last for three or four days after a severe attack and can be worse if you are eg diabetic and your blood sugar balance goes to pot. IMHO best thing to do is rest, gradually increase activity, stick to a light plain diet with plenty of clear fluids, I find that flat ginger ale is pretty soothing, a GP of my acquaintance prescribes ginger ale and crisps for recovering children as the electrolyte balance is good, its a fairly plain diet and the child is likely to eat it. I work in the NHS and we are not allowed to return to work for 48 hours after the d and v subsides because you can still be infectious.

[spiff]

I know it sounds like i'm being a git,but i was told that there is no such thing as "Gastric Flu". Don't get me wrong; i've had the hell that you are going through! WOLFGANG..can you confirm/deny? MARION-hope you are better soon!!xxx

[woofgang]

what used to be called gastric flu is now called "norwalk", "norovirus", "winter vomiting" "d and v" Its not caused by the same bug that causes influenza, tends to be around more in the winter and as you so rightly say is hell, same suffering, different name...