My dh has caught what I think is the Norovirus. He is violently ill- throwing up for over three hours now, chills, cramping, etc.. I know when kids get this you are not supposed to give them fluids until they've stopped vomiting or pooping for 2 hours and then you take it very slow. Is that true for adults also? I just don't want him to be dehydrated. He was playing with all three boys tonight after dinner so I'm dreading the next few days since it usually travels to everyone (except usually DH). LOL!

By Kate on Wednesday, January 24, 2007 - 11:41 pm:

Jenn, diarrhea is the biggest factor in dehydration. If it's just vomiting he'll probably be fine. They say it's only kids and the elderly that usually suffer dehydration when sick. I'd let him make the decision. If he wants a few sips of Gatorade or Ginger Ale, let him try it. Just a few sips at a time, though. Do you have anything like that in the house? You probably have pedialyte, right? He could drink that, too.

Hope he feels better soon and you don't all come down with it! Yikes!

By Tink on Wednesday, January 24, 2007 - 11:55 pm:

My opinion is that I'd rather throw up "something", ie Gatorade or ginger ale, than just have the dry heaves. Dehydration isn't too much to worry about with a healthy adult but even slight dehydration can cause headaches, etc. that will just make him feel worse. If he feels like drinking anything, I'd let him.

By Ginny~moderator on Thursday, January 25, 2007 - 05:42 am:

I agree, gingerale, Coke (with all the sugar) or Gatorade, a sip at a time. I too would rather have something in my stomach than dry heaves. Jello is also good.

As for dehydration, yes, it can be a worry for adults. My son Greg had the flu several years ago and got a bit dehydrated. He got up to go to the bathroom and got dizzy, fell, and got a nasty gash on his jaw from hitting the toilet - and lucky it wasn't worse.

I sure hope the kids don't get it. If any of them do, call the doctor to see if there is anything that will ease some of the symptoms. I don't know about the 2 hour rule - when my kids were young, their pediatrician said to try to get liquid into them at any time, a spoonful at a time until they could keep it up, because of the worry about dehydration.

My oldest was hospitalized for dehydration when he was about 3, and that was truly awful - and, at a time when parents were not allowed to stay with children when they were being treated or when they were in the hospital - and I got the flu just as he was to be released so he had to go home with my mother for 5 days.

By Karen~admin on Thursday, January 25, 2007 - 07:39 am:

Ditto Cori, I'd rather have something in me to throw up; there is NOTHING worse than dry heaving or just throwing up bile! UGH!

Another thought - could he have some sort of food poisoning?? I was in the hospital for 4 days with food poisoning once.

By Karen~admin on Thursday, January 25, 2007 - 07:39 am:

BTW - I hope he's better soon!!

By Dawnk777 on Thursday, January 25, 2007 - 07:44 am:

I hope he feels better soon. DH and I both got the Norovirus, but neither of the kids did.

By Bellajoe on Thursday, January 25, 2007 - 08:40 am:

anyone can get dehydration. My sister, who is in her 30's, had the flu last year. THrowing up and diarrhea, she ended up in the hospital because of dehydration.

BRAT - Banana, Rice, Applesauce, Toast,

those are things that supposedly are easy on your stomach when you have the flu. I have found this to be true.

Don't let him drink water, that induces vomiting.

Poor guy, i hope he feels better soon!

By Jjb on Thursday, January 25, 2007 - 09:19 am:

Thank you so much for your advice! I've never seen him so sick....and I know there's a good chance it will keep going around the house. He has stopped throwing up-- but I haven't seen him yet today (I slept with our son last night). I'm going to be going around the house bleaching door knobs and things later this AM. Ginny- how terrible for you and your poor son! I couldn't imagine having a child in the hospital and not being able to be with them. That must have been rough! Thanks again- you guys are the best!

By Amecmom on Thursday, January 25, 2007 - 09:30 am:

Hoping it passes the rest of you by and that your dh is feeling better soon!
Ame

By Tayjar on Thursday, January 25, 2007 - 12:29 pm:

If he continues to do this, I'd have him checked. My sister had what she thought was the flu over Christmas. She had never been that sick in her life. She ended up at a promptcare and they diagnosed her with ecoli. As soon as she started her meds, her symptoms went away. The symptoms of ecoli are the same as the flu.

By Emily7 on Thursday, January 25, 2007 - 01:15 pm:

Hope he is feeling better.

By Jjb on Thursday, January 25, 2007 - 01:58 pm:

Tayjar, thank you for bringing that up. I'll keep an eye on him. He has stopped vomiting but now it's coming from the other end. Fun stuff!! I did stock up on pedialyte, saltines, apple sauce, etc. this morning so maybe it will pass by the rest of us since we're actually prepared!