Stomach bugs, food poisoning and dehydration

Vomiting and diarrhoea are miserable alone, and the real risk is not the bug itself but losing too much fluid. This lesson shows you how to stay hydrated, protect your flatmates and know when to get help.

What to expect

• The NHS says diarrhoea usually stops within 5 to 7 days and vomiting usually stops within 1 or 2 days.
• Stomach bugs and food poisoning often get better on their own; the main job is rest and fluids.
• Food poisoning is often linked to undercooked meat, leftovers kept too long or poor kitchen hygiene; see the Kitchen Skills module's food hygiene lesson.

Staying hydrated: the key skill

• Drink plenty of fluids such as water or squash, taking small sips if you feel sick (NHS).
• Avoid fruit juice and fizzy drinks, which the NHS says can make diarrhoea worse.
• A pharmacist can recommend oral rehydration sachets, which are mixed with water to replace lost sugar, salts and minerals.
• Signs of dehydration include thirst, dark strong-smelling urine, peeing less than usual, dizziness, tiredness and a dry mouth.
• In hot climates you lose more fluid through sweat, so be extra careful during a Gulf summer.

Eating and resting

• Eat when you feel able; you may want to avoid fatty or spicy foods (NHS).
• Plain foods such as rice, toast, crackers or bananas are easy starting points.
• Paracetamol can ease discomfort.
• A pharmacist may suggest an anti-diarrhoea medicine such as loperamide if you need to stop diarrhoea for a few hours, for example for a journey; it is not suitable for under-12s.

Protecting others in a shared flat

• Stay off school, university or work until you have not been sick or had diarrhoea for at least 2 days (NHS).
• Wash your hands often with soap and water; do not prepare food for others while ill.
• Wash soiled clothing and bedding separately on a hot wash, and clean toilet seats, handles, taps and surfaces daily.
• Do not share towels, cutlery or utensils, and tell flatmates so they can take care too.

When to get help

• Get urgent advice (NHS 111 in the UK) if you keep being sick and cannot keep fluids down, have bloody diarrhoea, diarrhoea for more than 7 days or vomiting for more than 2 days, or dehydration signs continue after rehydration sachets.
• Call emergency services (999 UK, 998 UAE) if you vomit blood or something that looks like ground coffee, have green vomit, a stiff neck with pain looking at bright lights, a sudden severe headache or tummy ache, blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue, severe difficulty breathing, or confusion.
• The NHS dehydration page says to call 999 if signs of dehydration come with skin that feels cold, difficulty breathing or lots of quick breaths, confusion, or being sleepier than normal or difficult to wake.
• If you are alone and getting weaker, message your buddy now rather than waiting.