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May 21, 2017 9:11 PM Subscribe
I was 100% definitely just exposed to the stomach flu. If I caught it - which I am 99.9% certain I did - I have 24-48 hours before I become ill, what should I do to prepare?
I won't go into the gory details, but let's just say that I was 100% exposed in the most extreme manner to the stomach flu. There is no way I'm not getting this thing.
The flu incubates for 24-48 hours before showing symptoms. Symptoms will be pretty gross, incapacitating and involve a fever. What should I do *right now* to prepare for being out of commission? What should I get in the house? What movies should I download? How can I prepare my husband - who most likely will also get ill, given the circumstances.
P.S. Yes, yes - we both might be immune. For a variety of reasons, I suspect not, so I'm hedging on worst possible circumstances.
I won't go into the gory details, but let's just say that I was 100% exposed in the most extreme manner to the stomach flu. There is no way I'm not getting this thing.
The flu incubates for 24-48 hours before showing symptoms. Symptoms will be pretty gross, incapacitating and involve a fever. What should I do *right now* to prepare for being out of commission? What should I get in the house? What movies should I download? How can I prepare my husband - who most likely will also get ill, given the circumstances.
P.S. Yes, yes - we both might be immune. For a variety of reasons, I suspect not, so I'm hedging on worst possible circumstances.
Strengthen your immune system. Sleep a lot and drink a lot of fluids. And as per jbenben's advice above.
posted by frumiousb at 9:17 PM on May 21, 2017
posted by frumiousb at 9:17 PM on May 21, 2017
Toilet paper, paper towels, bleach spray cleaner. Clean bathroom floors/around the toilet (nothing worse than being nauseated and having to spend time on a grimy bathroom floor/over a less-than-clean toilet).
Your favorite broth or other isotonic drink. Pretzels. Applesauce. Personally I was never able to follow movies in that state. Maybe sketch comedy or your comfort sitcom of choice.
Good luck. I've been literally puked on (kids...)and didn't catch it so it's definitely a possibility.
posted by The Toad at 9:21 PM on May 21, 2017 [9 favorites]
Your favorite broth or other isotonic drink. Pretzels. Applesauce. Personally I was never able to follow movies in that state. Maybe sketch comedy or your comfort sitcom of choice.
Good luck. I've been literally puked on (kids...)and didn't catch it so it's definitely a possibility.
posted by The Toad at 9:21 PM on May 21, 2017 [9 favorites]
Stock non perishable liquids and snacks next to your bed for when you're on the mend but to exhausted to move. Snack sized containers of peaches or pears, water bottles, crackers, etc.
Put a bowl next to your bed or couch in case you can't make it to the bathroom.
Pay any bills you have due in the next couple days.
posted by HMSSM at 9:22 PM on May 21, 2017 [5 favorites]
Put a bowl next to your bed or couch in case you can't make it to the bathroom.
Pay any bills you have due in the next couple days.
posted by HMSSM at 9:22 PM on May 21, 2017 [5 favorites]
Pick up some gatorate or hydration tablets like Nuun in a few flavours. Something brothy (salty is nice) for when you're trying to start eating again. Oddly, tapioca pudding was the first thing I could tolerate after a nasty bout of gastro, so if you like it, have some on hand. Sorry this is happening - you have my sympathies, it sucks.
posted by bighappyhairydog at 9:22 PM on May 21, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by bighappyhairydog at 9:22 PM on May 21, 2017 [1 favorite]
Stock up on foods and drinks which are comforting and appetising to you when you are unwell. For me it would include things like Gatorade, lemonade, Hydralyte, salted potato chips, apple sauce.
All the best.
posted by kinddieserzeit at 9:22 PM on May 21, 2017
All the best.
posted by kinddieserzeit at 9:22 PM on May 21, 2017
Make sure you have any medications you might need (Advil, Immodium, Pepto Bismal), cancel or reschedule things in your calendar, clean your bathroom, make sure you have clean towels and/or paper towel for any clean up you need to do. Our house is just getting over a nasty gastro thing... so I wish you good health! Somehow my husband was able to avoid it despite me and the kids getting it, so I am optimistic for you.
posted by rozee at 9:28 PM on May 21, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by rozee at 9:28 PM on May 21, 2017 [3 favorites]
A sports or vitamin store might have some of these OTC electrolyte capsules. They are good for headaches, might be good for other stuff also.
If you're probably going to be on antibiotics, you might want to invest in pro-biotics.
Celery can be good when you're otherwise not-so-fresh, and it's full of fiber.
Watermelon is good when you can't keep stuff down. Also fizzy mineral water.
If you have stairs or other difficult-to-navigate terrain, clear stuff away so you're less likely to trip.
I just discovered dehydrated banana chips/slices for potassium (and sugar). They seem to taste better when I'm not feeling well.
If you're gonna be, you know, driving the porcelain bus, I recommend having an oldish towel folded into a kneeling strip; much better for the knees.
Good luck.
posted by amtho at 9:32 PM on May 21, 2017 [1 favorite]
If you're probably going to be on antibiotics, you might want to invest in pro-biotics.
Celery can be good when you're otherwise not-so-fresh, and it's full of fiber.
Watermelon is good when you can't keep stuff down. Also fizzy mineral water.
If you have stairs or other difficult-to-navigate terrain, clear stuff away so you're less likely to trip.
I just discovered dehydrated banana chips/slices for potassium (and sugar). They seem to taste better when I'm not feeling well.
If you're gonna be, you know, driving the porcelain bus, I recommend having an oldish towel folded into a kneeling strip; much better for the knees.
Good luck.
posted by amtho at 9:32 PM on May 21, 2017 [1 favorite]
Buy some Pedialyte, it will help you re-hydrate if you get so dehydrated you cannot keep regular fluids down, which has happened to me a few times when I've had a bad stomach flu. You should be able to find it at a grocery store, probably in the isle with the baby food.
Hopefully you won't get that bad, but it doesn't hurt to be prepared. Pedialyte's saved me at least one ER visit.
Some other people here have recommended oral re-hydration salts from places like REI, but Pedialyte is much more available in the US, and easier to find and use. Sports drinks like Gatorade and Powerade work too, especially to keep hydrated, but they weren't really designed for recovery from severe dehydration that can happen when you're ill.
posted by cosmic.osmo at 9:56 PM on May 21, 2017 [2 favorites]
Hopefully you won't get that bad, but it doesn't hurt to be prepared. Pedialyte's saved me at least one ER visit.
Some other people here have recommended oral re-hydration salts from places like REI, but Pedialyte is much more available in the US, and easier to find and use. Sports drinks like Gatorade and Powerade work too, especially to keep hydrated, but they weren't really designed for recovery from severe dehydration that can happen when you're ill.
posted by cosmic.osmo at 9:56 PM on May 21, 2017 [2 favorites]
I know it's hard, but try not to psyche yourself out by being positive that you're going to get this. Stomach illnesses are pretty easy to fake yourself into thinking that you have them because your belly's going to be roiling from the stress.
Don't eat anything that you really enjoy for the next few days if you're like me and will associate it with throwing up, especially if it has a strong flavor.
Figure out what if any options are available for grocery/drug store deliveries if you find that you need something.
Many people find ginger tea or ginger ale (the ones with real ginger, not just artificial flavor) soothing with angry bellies.
Have you given work a heads up that you might be out for a few days? If you have a long commute, have you arranged to work from home if possible while you wait to see if you're going to get sick?
Remove everything that doesn't have to be in the bathrooms so they don't get contaminated. No bathmats (use cheap towels that can be washed to death with bleach instead), fuzzy toilet covers, decorative trinkets, etc. Do stock some mint mouthwash or the like.
Cleaning up after you've recovered, use real cleaning products, not just wipes. They're not potent enough to actually disinfect virus covered surfaces. Dilute liquid bleach (or strong bleach based products) are best.
posted by Candleman at 9:59 PM on May 21, 2017 [7 favorites]
Don't eat anything that you really enjoy for the next few days if you're like me and will associate it with throwing up, especially if it has a strong flavor.
Figure out what if any options are available for grocery/drug store deliveries if you find that you need something.
Many people find ginger tea or ginger ale (the ones with real ginger, not just artificial flavor) soothing with angry bellies.
Have you given work a heads up that you might be out for a few days? If you have a long commute, have you arranged to work from home if possible while you wait to see if you're going to get sick?
Remove everything that doesn't have to be in the bathrooms so they don't get contaminated. No bathmats (use cheap towels that can be washed to death with bleach instead), fuzzy toilet covers, decorative trinkets, etc. Do stock some mint mouthwash or the like.
Cleaning up after you've recovered, use real cleaning products, not just wipes. They're not potent enough to actually disinfect virus covered surfaces. Dilute liquid bleach (or strong bleach based products) are best.
posted by Candleman at 9:59 PM on May 21, 2017 [7 favorites]
I like to put an old throw blanket and folded up towel (for a pillow) on the washroom floor and nap on the bathmat in between puking bouts.
posted by congen at 10:12 PM on May 21, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by congen at 10:12 PM on May 21, 2017 [4 favorites]
Most of this advice is about stopping the spread, which presumably you're going to do.
For yourself, stock up on fluids, lots of fluids, from water to electrolytes to fruit juice to your favorite three hot teas.... get like six times as much as you think you need. Get them ready, and drink way more than you think you want to drink for the next few days. Make an entire bottlehenge of drinks next to your bed.
When I know I have to just suffer through a few days of sick, like this past weekend (!), I like to use the sleepytime cold and flu pills, because they knock me out well and poof, I manage to not notice 12 or 15 hours of the sick-time. Yay. Less sick-time. (This trick can also make 15 hour airline flights really, really quick.) So get those.
(If you can get all this delivered from Amazon or your drug store or a dear friend who will leave it on the step, knock on your door then run, all the better: that'll save the world from your germs, too.)
And get your most-winter-cold pyjamas and blankets and other blankets out. Sleep hot, sleep sweaty, and sleep stinky until you get better. Don't get chills, or you'll feel much worse.
Tough it out, let the time pass and it'll be over soon.
posted by rokusan at 10:33 PM on May 21, 2017
For yourself, stock up on fluids, lots of fluids, from water to electrolytes to fruit juice to your favorite three hot teas.... get like six times as much as you think you need. Get them ready, and drink way more than you think you want to drink for the next few days. Make an entire bottlehenge of drinks next to your bed.
When I know I have to just suffer through a few days of sick, like this past weekend (!), I like to use the sleepytime cold and flu pills, because they knock me out well and poof, I manage to not notice 12 or 15 hours of the sick-time. Yay. Less sick-time. (This trick can also make 15 hour airline flights really, really quick.) So get those.
(If you can get all this delivered from Amazon or your drug store or a dear friend who will leave it on the step, knock on your door then run, all the better: that'll save the world from your germs, too.)
And get your most-winter-cold pyjamas and blankets and other blankets out. Sleep hot, sleep sweaty, and sleep stinky until you get better. Don't get chills, or you'll feel much worse.
Tough it out, let the time pass and it'll be over soon.
posted by rokusan at 10:33 PM on May 21, 2017
Clean your bathroom. It's super-gross to have to have your head near a dirty sink or toilet when you're throwing up.
Gatorade, trash bags, bleach wipes, crackers, chicken broth. I'm sorry. I hope you don't get it and/or recover quickly!
posted by Aquifer at 10:50 PM on May 21, 2017 [2 favorites]
Gatorade, trash bags, bleach wipes, crackers, chicken broth. I'm sorry. I hope you don't get it and/or recover quickly!
posted by Aquifer at 10:50 PM on May 21, 2017 [2 favorites]
Pedialyte for sure. Also I have a set of these mini beakers from OXO which are great for rehydrating once the worst is over -- you start with the smallest one (5 mL) full of Pedialyte every five minutes for an hour, then the next size up (15 mL) every five minutes for an hour, then the 30mL size, then the 60. If you throw up again you have to start over. It's a great way to slowly re-introduce fluids without shocking your system. Also useful for cocktail making!
posted by KathrynT at 11:35 PM on May 21, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by KathrynT at 11:35 PM on May 21, 2017 [1 favorite]
Be careful even with drinks. You might find you'll throw up anything you ingest for a period, including liquids. Take sips for a while before glugging larger quantities of fluids.
posted by bumcivilian at 2:02 AM on May 22, 2017
posted by bumcivilian at 2:02 AM on May 22, 2017
If it's norovirus, there's not much you CAN do except hydrate and rest. You shouldn't really need any special electrolyte drink, water should be fine. If you're a healthy adult, the virus is self-limiting and will resolve in a day or two. You just have to ride out the symptoms until then and try your hardest not to infect anyone else (don't prepare food for anyone, clean up after yourself with chlorine bleach, wash your hands with soap, and try to avoid other people--it takes less than 100 virus particles to infect someone and there are over 6 MILLION particles in one gram of faeces, and norovirus can live outside a human host from days to weeks, so it's contagious as hell). Good luck!
posted by Defying Gravity at 2:42 AM on May 22, 2017
posted by Defying Gravity at 2:42 AM on May 22, 2017
I should also mention that there is some evidence that Norovirus starts shedding (i.e. sending off its little viral progeny to infect others) before you're symptomatic, so I would consider yourself contagious as of now.
(In case you're wondering, I'm not some Norovirus-obsessed weirdo. It was the topic of my microbiology project this semester.)
posted by Defying Gravity at 2:50 AM on May 22, 2017 [6 favorites]
(In case you're wondering, I'm not some Norovirus-obsessed weirdo. It was the topic of my microbiology project this semester.)
posted by Defying Gravity at 2:50 AM on May 22, 2017 [6 favorites]
I've had stomach flu a couple of times in the last 6 months. When I started feeling bad I started drinking liquids to feel better but at a certain point I puked it all up (an amazing amount). It seems that at some point your stomach and intestinal lining stops absorbing liquid (even Gatorade). It is natural to keep ingesting liquid, but at some point your digestive system gets "full" and you puke it all out.
My advice would be to drink moderate fluids until you start absorbing them. Until then you are just filling up the balloon.
After you start to feel better and are trying to rehydrate, I suggest Gatorade and Progresso chicken soup.
posted by H21 at 4:40 AM on May 22, 2017
My advice would be to drink moderate fluids until you start absorbing them. Until then you are just filling up the balloon.
After you start to feel better and are trying to rehydrate, I suggest Gatorade and Progresso chicken soup.
posted by H21 at 4:40 AM on May 22, 2017
Put clean sheets on the bed and have more clean sheets ready for once you're feeling. A bit better.
posted by raccoon409 at 4:45 AM on May 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by raccoon409 at 4:45 AM on May 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
A tip from my first trimester of pregnancy and attendant bouts of nausea and vomiting - I found it way better from a morale perspective to have vomit bags on hand (I got them from Amazon) - just strong plastic bags with a bit of absorbent liner. Much nicer than always kneeling in front on the toilet, which quickly gets old if you're vomiting a lot.
posted by peacheater at 5:20 AM on May 22, 2017
posted by peacheater at 5:20 AM on May 22, 2017
If you get the double ended whammy (which I always do), treat yourself to using a bidet. I didn't run out and get an attachment for my toilet but instead I kept a small Tupperware container to douse my rear with after any volcano activity. The toilet paper, no matter how plus, is going to anger your butt.
Oral self-care? Get mints to quell the bouts of sickness. Rinse your mouth with water after every technicolor yawn. At some point during the infection, I was heaving straight bile and I could feel my teeth crying with the exposure to it.
Popsicles. I didn't want to eat a thing my first 3 days the last time I had a bout of it, but I was all about popsicles once I did feel hungry. The usual - go for non-red fruity ones. It will soothe the throat irritation as well.
Also, it wouldn't be a bad idea to alert someone to check on you. I have passed out before due to the dehydration/loss of necessary vitamins/blood pressure. Keep your phone on you in a pocket and maintain some sort of contact with someone who can get to you if you don't respond back .
posted by missh at 5:39 AM on May 22, 2017 [2 favorites]
Oral self-care? Get mints to quell the bouts of sickness. Rinse your mouth with water after every technicolor yawn. At some point during the infection, I was heaving straight bile and I could feel my teeth crying with the exposure to it.
Popsicles. I didn't want to eat a thing my first 3 days the last time I had a bout of it, but I was all about popsicles once I did feel hungry. The usual - go for non-red fruity ones. It will soothe the throat irritation as well.
Also, it wouldn't be a bad idea to alert someone to check on you. I have passed out before due to the dehydration/loss of necessary vitamins/blood pressure. Keep your phone on you in a pocket and maintain some sort of contact with someone who can get to you if you don't respond back .
posted by missh at 5:39 AM on May 22, 2017 [2 favorites]
Baby wipes and a bucket by the toilet. Last time I had a stomach bug it was two exits, no waiting.
posted by bondcliff at 6:46 AM on May 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by bondcliff at 6:46 AM on May 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
What movies should I download?
Romy and Michele's High School Reunion has been there for me through every major illness of my adulthood and it will be there for you, too.
posted by phunniemee at 8:32 AM on May 22, 2017 [3 favorites]
Romy and Michele's High School Reunion has been there for me through every major illness of my adulthood and it will be there for you, too.
posted by phunniemee at 8:32 AM on May 22, 2017 [3 favorites]
Interesting NPR article today about taking Peptol Bismol prophylacticly to prevent food poisoning. Might be worth a try to start taking it now.
posted by cosmac at 8:39 AM on May 22, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by cosmac at 8:39 AM on May 22, 2017 [2 favorites]
Get all your sheets clean. You're going to be in bed. Make it nice. Have some spare sheets ready to go for when you have the energy to put fresh sheets on the bed.
Get all your towels and wash cloths clean, folded, and put away. Clean your bathroom. You might want to take a hot shower or soak in the tub.
Get your kitchen clean. Stock up on frozen food or whatever you like that's easy to make and requires no preparation.
Get your pajamas clean.
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 10:26 AM on May 22, 2017
Get all your towels and wash cloths clean, folded, and put away. Clean your bathroom. You might want to take a hot shower or soak in the tub.
Get your kitchen clean. Stock up on frozen food or whatever you like that's easy to make and requires no preparation.
Get your pajamas clean.
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 10:26 AM on May 22, 2017
For vomiting:
Tiny sips of Coca Cola help Settle the stomach in early recovery stages
Rumor has it that if you are going to puke, mint ice cream is the best thing to puke up.
posted by SLC Mom at 10:55 AM on May 22, 2017
Tiny sips of Coca Cola help Settle the stomach in early recovery stages
Rumor has it that if you are going to puke, mint ice cream is the best thing to puke up.
posted by SLC Mom at 10:55 AM on May 22, 2017
Take an early dose of Pepto Bismol. It will lessen your symtoms.
posted by cwarmy at 12:24 PM on May 22, 2017
posted by cwarmy at 12:24 PM on May 22, 2017
We laid out those interlocking foam tiles in a corner of the bathroom floor for napping purposes. Along with washable blankets. The little bit of softness was nice.
(I felt fine just wiping them down with cleaners after napping/lying on them but if actual vomit/other gets on them I wouldn't trust a wipe to get them clean. However they are cheap enough to just toss in that case)
posted by platypus of the universe at 1:39 PM on May 22, 2017
(I felt fine just wiping them down with cleaners after napping/lying on them but if actual vomit/other gets on them I wouldn't trust a wipe to get them clean. However they are cheap enough to just toss in that case)
posted by platypus of the universe at 1:39 PM on May 22, 2017
Not a doctor, but never take Immodium without a doctor's supervision, lest you risk the very real, and appropriately terrifyingly named, "megacolon". There is nothing about diarrhea, per se, that is harmful to the body, and preventing it by extreme chemical means is a very bad idea. Much better to re-hydrate with electrolytes as needed, and watch yourself for signs of dehydration that might mean you need intravenous fluids.
posted by wnissen at 2:09 PM on May 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by wnissen at 2:09 PM on May 22, 2017 [1 favorite]
Root beer. It tastes the same coming back up and masks the taste of stomach acid. Shake it or blow bubbles to make it flat before drinking. (Puking foam is no good.). Sorry to hear that you are likely to be ill.
posted by mortaddams at 7:27 PM on May 22, 2017
posted by mortaddams at 7:27 PM on May 22, 2017
I would also suggest taking extra doses of probiotics. I've had what I believe to be good results from taking lots of probiotics. Had a nasty stomach bug a year ago, started taking the probiotics as soon as the nausea hit, and it really seemed to quell the yucky symptoms (still had a fever and cramping, but the nausea subsided). I always have them on hand now, just in case!
posted by Happydaz at 2:33 AM on May 23, 2017
posted by Happydaz at 2:33 AM on May 23, 2017
Hey so how'd it go? Are you alive?
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 12:38 PM on June 3, 2017
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 12:38 PM on June 3, 2017
Response by poster: I made it - thanks y'all for the suggestions! Phew!
posted by Toddles at 3:22 PM on June 23, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Toddles at 3:22 PM on June 23, 2017 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
I was in a stomach flu "chain" a few months back, I accidentally brought the bug to a frend's house because I thought I had not been infected. I accidentally passed the bug on to them.
Don't be me. Stay home.
posted by jbenben at 9:16 PM on May 21, 2017 [14 favorites]