What's wrong with DS? Stomach ache but nothing else...

[BoobsOnTheMoon]

DS is 14, there's been a lot of cases of norovirus at his school and he is quite anxious about vomiting (ASD).

Since Tuesday evening he has been complaining of "stomach ache that comes and goes". No D&V, he is eating what's put in front of him (albeit without much enthusiasm), and claims not to feel sick. But due to his ASD he has poor interoception so isn't always a very reliable narrator of how he feels! All he can tell me is that he "feels like shit" (he isn't able to be any more specific than this, I have tried asking him to elaborate) and has this on and off stomach ache.

Can noro present as just intermittent stomach ache? I feel like it would have actually turned into D&V by now if it was noro 🤔

I wonder if it’s anxiety about the norovirus?

I was going to say the same - maybe he is anxious which is causing the stomach ache?

No it’s not the virus! You really would know if it was! He’s thinking about being ill and getting anxious. I would send him to school.

I did wonder if it was just anxiety over it, but he's never had anxiety related stomach ache before

He's at a specialist school that's a taxi journey away so I'm reluctant to send him in if there's any chance he might start with D&V! Especially as he has a long standing refusal to use school toilets (ongoing since he was at nursery, it's something everyone working with him is aware of).

Yes it is possible to have lower level symptoms despite coming in contact with the virus.

It is also possible it is anxiety caused by worrying about the virus.

You may possibly find this stomach ache happens more frequently now you’ve allowed him to stay off school.