What should you know about prolonged stomach bug?

Gastroenteritis irritates the stomach and bowel, commonly causing diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea, cramps, loss of appetite, and sometimes fever. Symptoms can continue when the gut lining is still inflamed, but persistent symptoms can also reflect a different infection, medication effect, food intolerance, or inflammatory illness. Rotavirus infection is one possible cause, especially in children. Dehydration develops when fluid and salts lost through vomiting or diarrhoea are not replaced.

Take frequent small sips of water or an oral rehydration solution; small amounts are often easier to keep down than a large drink. Continue eating light foods when able, and avoid alcohol and foods that clearly worsen symptoms. Wash hands with soap and water, avoid preparing food for others while unwell, and clean contaminated surfaces. Do not give anti-diarrhoeal medicines to young children without medical advice. Record urine output, vomiting, stool changes, and fluid intake.

Contact a clinician if symptoms are prolonged, worsening, or preventing adequate drinking. Seek urgent help for confusion, fainting, very little or dark urine, blood in vomit or stool, severe abdominal pain, a stiff abdomen, persistent high fever, or breathing difficulty. Children, older adults, pregnant people, and those with significant medical conditions may need earlier advice.

Ask whether you need a dehydration check, stool testing, medication review, or specific treatment. Explain when symptoms began, recent travel or sick contacts, unusual foods, fever, abdominal pain, and whether you can keep fluids down.