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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Flying with upset stomach?

38 replies

temp12345 · 21/07/2017 10:58

I've had a pretty bad stomach bug of some description (i.e. could be a virus, could be something I ate...) since Tuesday evening. I think it's slightly better this morning, I haven't got a temperature any more and I can contemplate moving from one room to another without thinking it's akin to climbing Everest. But, I'm due to fly to Spain tomorrow - AIBU to still want to fly? Obviously I don't want to pass on the bug (if it is a bug) but would I still be infectious? And if I was uber strict about hygiene would I even be able to pass it on?

OP posts:
Glumglowworm · 21/07/2017 11:03

Of course YABU and extremely selfish

You could be sat next to someone who ends up in hospital because they catch what you have.

witchofzog · 21/07/2017 11:03

48 hours since last hour of d & v is the rule. When did this last happen?

kali110 · 21/07/2017 11:04

Yes, you would be unreasonable Shock

Crunchymum · 21/07/2017 11:06

As long as you are observing the 48h rule then you should be fine to fly.

Original poster
temp12345 · 21/07/2017 11:14

Right... thanks all. The 48 hour rule is a slightly moot point here - have taken loperamide which has stopped the bouts of d&v, but is probably 'just' masking the symptoms, iyswim. I've still got a lot of abdo pain.

OP posts:
Frazzled2207 · 21/07/2017 11:14

I think you're over the worst and as long as no throwing up today you will be fine tomorrow.

chipscheeseandcurrysauce · 21/07/2017 11:22

If you don't vomit or have any bouts of diarrhoea today and tomorrow, I would still go ahead with the flight... if not, I'd reschedule it. You can't really risk these things, especially in an enclosed space like an airplane as you don't know if there's anyone with a poor immune system on the flight. As well with the usual: babies/children, pregnant women and the elderly!

Looneytune253 · 21/07/2017 11:23

Doesn't sound like a bug tbh. Plus, as an adult, if you have a high standard of hygiene you shouldn't pass it on unless you were still having bouts of it or preparing food. Don't go in the pool when you're away though. 2 weeks to be sure of that. Tbh though do u really want to go the way you're feeling. I personally wouldn't want to be away from home if I felt so poorly?

NerrSnerr · 21/07/2017 11:24

I would hold off the loperamide and see if you have any more incidents of diarrhoea. If so then you really can't fly.

toosexyforyahshirt · 21/07/2017 11:26

You're going to get the "how dare you even think of flying if you even feel vaguely nauseous, you're guaranteed to kill someone with a poor immune system" frothers telling you yabvu, but in reality there is no reason to suspect you are contagious at all, and you're hardly going to cancel your plans on the off chance.

And can people please stop quoting this 48 hour rule (a school policy, and a few workplaces) as if it is some kind of international law?

RhubardGin · 21/07/2017 11:30

Phone your GP and get some advice.

TickleMcTickleFace · 21/07/2017 11:30

There was a post a few days ago about how many people come back from Centre Parcs with a bug of some sort. Think I know the reason why...

toosexyforyahshirt · 21/07/2017 11:32

Phone your GP and get some advice

That's funny.

kaytee87 · 21/07/2017 11:33

Is the 48 hour rule not only for children? Adults have a much higher standard of hygiene (hopefully).

witchofzog · 21/07/2017 11:39

I thought the 48 hour rule is to do with how long you are contagious for

toosexyforyahshirt · 21/07/2017 11:41

There is no rule!

kaytee87 · 21/07/2017 11:47

Well not a rule as such but nurseries and schools usually ask that children remain off for 48 hours after last bout of D&V

toosexyforyahshirt · 21/07/2017 11:48

They do. But people seem to think it applies to everyone, everywhere. It's a school guideline, not a commandment.

Original poster
temp12345 · 21/07/2017 11:48

Looneytune - I'm 50/50 about that. I'd be letting people down though, and I feel rubbish about that.

Toosexy - my workplace has the 48 hour rule, but I suspect know most people don't follow it and things don't seem to get passed on - I guess other posters are right and we're just more scrupulous with our hygiene?

Will see how I fare without any loperamide and take it from there.

OP posts:
Wide0penSpace · 21/07/2017 11:56

The '48 hour rule' isn't just for schoolchildren, nor is it just used by schools. It's NHS advice to stop the spread of d&v by avoiding busy places until you are not contagious any more.

It's usually in the sickness policy of schools, healthcare facilities and lots of other workplaces.

OP see how you are today, if the last bout was yesterday and you dont fly until tomorrow you should just about be clear.

chipscheeseandcurrysauce · 21/07/2017 11:56

@temp12345 my workplace does too... I do work with food though!

Lucisky · 21/07/2017 12:08

I have flown with d and v, but from food poisoning (actually mushroom poisoning from some poor foraging, my own fault.) Not pleasant. If you can control both ends sufficiently for at least 24 hrs before you should be okay. It's hardly a very long flight - just all the hanging around beforehand will be rather trying.

ProudAS · 21/07/2017 12:55

I assume you have travel insurance. Speak to your GP (possibly over the phone) and he or she can issue you a sick note if unfit to fly so you can claim on your insurance and go another time.
If GP says you're OK to fly you can go with a clear conscience.

TimetohittheroadJack · 21/07/2017 12:58

I'd take a full packet of loperamide just incase, imagine really needing to go when you are taking off or landing - thats the stuff nightmares are made off.

Frazzled2207 · 21/07/2017 13:17

If you're not better your insurance should hopefully cover getting a later flight, you'd need sign off from a doc though, might be worth trying to get that today just in casw