Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

Help, kids ill on holiday, can't work out what to do

63 replies

Poolbugs · 27/07/2023 06:36

DCs aged 14 and 16 spent the night being violently ill. The 14yo was sharing with 18yo who had to go to reception to get new bedding (we were busy with the 16yo).

The rest off us are fine, the only thing we can think it could be is the hotel pool as only these two used it (and last time they were both parallel ill like this was when they caught a stomach bug from a river).

We're due to leave here tomorrow to drive to another European country to meet friends and share a house for a week, obv we can't move until Saturday. So my plan was to speak to the hotel manager today and say they have to house us for an extra night until they're safe to go out and about. And need to speak to the holiday rental and say that my friend will pick up the keys and we'll follow a day later.

Am I missing anything and does anyone know what the French rules are re staying home after a stomach bug and can point me to them? Or should we do something else? I've had one hour max sleep and ama bit broken

OP posts:

Diddykong · 27/07/2023 06:38

I don't think there are national rules around stomach bugs, particularly if you suspect the pool, not anything contagious.

fruitypancake · 27/07/2023 06:42

Oh gosh what a nightmare ! I think you've got a plan.. speak to the hotel and explain you can't go anywhere the moment.. if pool they will surely have others sick too?
Then go and join your friend as soon as they've stopped being sick, they can always go to bed when you get there x

2reefsin30knots · 27/07/2023 06:43

I think you've been indoctrinated by school to believe they can't go anywhere for 48 hrs. In real life, I think you just have to bundle them in the car and go.
DH flew home with horrific gastro once. Not a good experience, but that was just what had to be done.

InterferingOutsider · 27/07/2023 06:43

There is no have to house you! If it's a hotel, they might well have the rooms booked. You can ask if they have space (might have to pay a higher rate!).

You'll need to go to the supermarket to buy supplies if they don't have space. Towels, large plastic bags, upholstery wipes, hand gel, very plain food, sports drinks, kitchen paper, disposable gloves etc etc.

ReeseWitherfork · 27/07/2023 06:45

Not helped by Covid teaching us there are “official” ways to react to illness. As PP said, there isn’t. The hotel manager doesn’t have to let you stay another night.

This is awful luck OP, hopefully your DCs will recover quickly and you can enjoy the rest of your holiday.

BHRK · 27/07/2023 06:45

I’d try and get another night in the hotel or a nearby hotel (don’t think you can demand anything as you have no proof the hotel is at fault… also if it’s the pool, half the hotel
will be sick). Wait until everyone is recovered enough to travel and then continue with your holiday, as you’ve detailed above

InterferingOutsider · 27/07/2023 06:47

With elastic and safety pins you can turn a towel (or even kids's disposable bed mats) into a splash guard for the car seat in front.

Clymene · 27/07/2023 06:49

Just because your kids got sick from swimming in a river,it doesn't mean the pool has made them ill. Surely half the hotel will be suffer and it's a public health issue if it's the pool? I'd see how they are in he morning and ask nicely if you can stay on if they're too unwell to sit in a car.

I don't get why you think you won't be able to travel until Saturday

Pushpull · 27/07/2023 06:49

Oh my sympathies as this sounds super stressful. There aren't rules as such beyond the sensible 48 hrs although I think it's sensible to try and stay put personally till you're a bit clearer on whether you're all (particularly the driver) going to get it. Also I wouldn't be wild on meeting you 24 hrs after people started vomiting as the first day of my holiday! So I'd call down to reception and explain that two of your party are sick and is there a possibility of extending. They may try and be flexible. If they can't I'd perhaps look to book somewhere that's on the way to the new venue (Travelodge type equivalent) that of nothing else would break up the drive and therefore perhaps be more manageable if people are still feeling unwell.

If you can meticulous hand hygiene and keep a window open (or open periodically!) Good luck

mumlovesvodka · 27/07/2023 06:50

We had to travel home for London (3 hours in the car) with a sick 5 year old... I'm not ashamed to admit we 'borrowed' the inside of the bathroom bin for the journey!

Was not a fun time!

User16496743 · 27/07/2023 06:51

At least you are going by car and not flying, I would just go when you should but take plenty of plastic bags with you.

Original poster

Poolbugs · 27/07/2023 06:52

Thanks, I just feel we can't rock up to be with another family if we then make them ill hence thinking 48 hours, as didn't matter what made the kids ill if they shedding the virus we could all catch it. If it were just us I'd travel no problem.

Also worried that DH is only driver so if he catches it we're stuffed. We're only away for another week.

I'll go get antibacterial wipes etc and see what pharmacy can offer

OP posts:

Jazzybean · 27/07/2023 06:54

Get some Imodium and see how you go…

mumofboys8787 · 27/07/2023 06:55

The wording in your OP is bizarre. "They have to house us for an extra night".......no they don't?! Why on earth would they. What you mean is "ask if we can stay an extra night because we have no idea what's caused this sickness and if it's even anything to do with the hotel at all". Also 14 and 16 aren't babies. I got food poisoning in Bali on NYE years ago and we were getting the boat to the Gilli islands the next day, so I packed my shit up and took a sick bag with me. They're not dying!

StartSWagaintomorrow · 27/07/2023 06:55

If it was the pool more guests should be ill? Have you noticed any other guests ill? If you can get some electrolyte drink in them today hopefully they will start feeling better.

IheartNiles · 27/07/2023 06:57

It’s probably a norovirus and unrelated to a chlorinated pool.
See if they have space to rent you a room for another night. The rest of the family hand wash like crazy and disinfect sinks, taps, door handles after every use.

Dustybarn · 27/07/2023 06:58

At 14 and 16 I’d not be worried. If the kids are happy to try to move on I would do that. Go to the pharmacy and get an anti emetic, arm each one with a sick bag and hit the road. Take a slow drive with frequent stops and limit their diet to Coke and salt crisps. They will be so much more comfortable at the house than in a hotel so if your friends have no objections I’d stick to the plan.

Quoria · 27/07/2023 06:59

Vomiting bugs tend to be over quickly so they might be a lot better tomorrow anyway. L I'd at least semi-quatentine them at the house with your friends for a day though - like a pp, I wouldn't be particularly happy about risking catching a stomach bug at the start of my holiday.

Caspianberg · 27/07/2023 07:00

How can the hotel ‘have’ to host you? They likely don’t have space if full and it’s summer holidays.

Personally I would move on. Go to pharmacy and get some medicine. Collect hire car. Find some other accommodation near friends potentially for a night or so.

changingmyname143 · 27/07/2023 07:02

Which end was it coming out of OP? Imodium may help. Sounds like a tough holiday. If they've stopped vomming I'd risk the car journey and just keep them separate if poss

JasonOsCubanHeels · 27/07/2023 07:02

I got sick in a shit 3 star in Spain (from the food and I hadn’t eaten anywhere else so definitely their fault) and the hotel denied anyone else was ill despite the fact I could see other guests by the pool rushing off to be sick. The hotel won’t admit that anyone else is ill so the only thing you could do is ask nicely if you can stay longer.

However if DH is the only driver I think I would be tempted to try and get to your next destination before your DH does come down with it. It’ll be miserable for your teens though

MonsterCalling · 27/07/2023 07:04

By ‘violently ill’ do you mean vomiting? Do they also have diarrhoea?

Overthebow · 27/07/2023 07:07

You can ask nicely if they have room for you to stay another night, but don’t phrase it as they have to. They don’t have to. Worst case, you’ll have to all go and just put them in the car with sock bags and towels.

Fudgewomble · 27/07/2023 07:09

You’ll have to pay for another night at the hotel, if they’ve got room for you - hopefully they will. It’s very likely a virus that’s been picked up in a communal area, unlikely to be a chlorinated pool. No point buying anti bac wipes or alcohol hand gel: neither work on viruses like norovirus. Bleach wipes will work and antiviral hand foam (more expensive but worth it!).

its very thoughtful of you not to inflict this on your friends - I wouldn’t want to share a bathroom or communal area with your family until everyone has been symptom free for 48 hours. If the house is big enough then that should be ok - if not a travel lodge type motel on the way as per pp is a good shout.

Monster80 · 27/07/2023 07:09

Do you mean you want to pay to stay another night at the hotel, if they have availability I’m sure you can. Tummy bugs don’t have anything to do with the hotel (unless huge swathes of guests go down at the same time)!

Flip

1 2 3