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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Anyone up? DH is ill and I'm not sure what I should do

95 replies

Minimalme · 25/12/2022 04:06

We've all been ill for the last week but he just hasn't got better. Even our T1 Diabetic son has bounced back.

Since Monday dh has been in bed with a cough, temperature, vomiting and diarrhoea. He just went to the toilet and fainted and fell off it.

I am waiting on for 111 but he is adamant he will be fine.

I am worried that he needs antibiotics. I did try to get him to call our GP one day this week and now wish I'd just done it for him.

I wondered about dropping him into A&E but I would need to leave him there as we have kids at home.

Please tell me to stop worrying and go back to bed or to get firm and drive him in.

OP posts:
HappyHolidays22 · 25/12/2022 06:30

Plenty of drinks, dioralyte is best or a sports drink… but when l was in hospital (post op) the first thing they gave me was a very sugary cup of tea. Let him sleep but keep an eye that his temp comes down with meds. Sounds like a terrible flu … but I’d be keeping an eye on it for another 24 hours or so and if no improvement I’d consider going to the GP (if you can!) and asking for antibiotics. But with the V &D, sadly it sounds like the flu.

how is he getting on? Hopefully you manage to enjoy today!

Swimmingistoocold · 25/12/2022 06:31

Antibiotics do NOT work for viral illnesses such as colds and flu.

HappyHolidays22 · 25/12/2022 06:34

Also not sure if you have any of these in your local area but you could try booking a private appointment with someone like UrgentCare365? I know it’s expensive but if you can afford it, would be better than sitting in A&E for however many hours! At least it would out your mind at ease. Sure they are open today and you will probably be able to book an appointment to go at a specific time.

Hellocatshome · 25/12/2022 06:42

lifeinthehills · 25/12/2022 04:20

We are always told that if someone loses consciousness, we should phone an ambulance. Probably your husband is dehydrated and some fluids might make the world of difference.

Really? Who tells you that? A faint isn't an ambulance situation normally. Make up some squash and add a pinch of salt. Get him to sip it and go back to bed.

lifeinthehills · 25/12/2022 06:47

babyyodaxmas · 25/12/2022 05:12

Medic here. Fainting isn't the same as losing consciousness. I am assuming he is now fully awake and oriented (knows where he is what just happened etc) and didn't bang his head too hard ? If so just keep up with the fluids as other's have said and the paracemol. I wouldn't go to A&E (although it might be quiet this am). Please don't call an ambulance for this, if the story is " man with flu faints". If he is unconscious or confused then rat's different. Good luck and Happy Xmas OP.

Show quote history

Ah, that's interesting. I suspect those that have told me that are probably concerned with their own liability and covering themselves. I admit I didn't call an ambulance when I fainted, but did see a doctor the next day. If in doubt I would call though as I know they will either send a home call doctor or advise alternative action if they don't feel an ambulance is necessary. (Note: not UK).

Tilllly · 25/12/2022 06:53

@Minimalme how is he now?

PotatoScollop · 25/12/2022 07:00

Plenty of people end up in hospital with complications of viral & bacterial infections (and food poisoning) every year, needing treatment, usually fluids.

Your husband passed out. That's not a normal response in a bug (& I suffer chronic dizziness and have passed out a number of times). A&E, now. I suspect he is dehydrated - particularly as you say he can't keep anything down. I hope he is on the mend soon

CoffeeBoy · 25/12/2022 07:07

Men fainting on the loo is a thin especially at night. Blood pressure related so I guess it’s more likely if he’s dehydrated. If he’s saying he’s ok I’d stay at home and concentrate on rehydration (have you got any sachets) and paracetamol/ibuprofen.

Original poster
Minimalme · 25/12/2022 07:09

Thank you all, sorry I've not been back.

There is some really good advice on here - I was having a bit of a panic about sepsis.

Someone suggested he has 'proper flu' and I think that's it. He has low blood pressure as standard and hasn't eaten so that would account for the fainting.

He also won't have drunk enough or bothered with paracetamol. I have made him drink and take tablets and am going to take him in hand.

I have the flu jab every year because I remember having it when I was 22 and it was the worst.

I waited for an hour with 111 but gave up in the end. He is really stubborn and 'doesn't like to be a bother'.

He is also absolutely lovely which is why it's awful to see him so poorly.

Hoping Christmas works it's magic (or dioralyte and paracetamol!).

Merry Christmas to everyone Xmas Smile

OP posts:
Neolara · 25/12/2022 07:09

My DH fainted while having a wee last week. He Googled afterwards and apparently it's not that uncommon in men and is not necessarily anything to be too worried about.

snowbellsxox · 25/12/2022 07:15

My colleague had this and turned septic

Original poster
Minimalme · 25/12/2022 07:16

Neolara · 25/12/2022 07:09

My DH fainted while having a wee last week. He Googled afterwards and apparently it's not that uncommon in men and is not necessarily anything to be too worried about.

DH has fainted twice before in the toilet in the 20 years we've been together.

He is useless at going to the doctors. He made me laugh earlier by saying "if I had the energy, I'd lie in the field and let the elements take me".

His grim sense of humour has served us well over the years.

OP posts:
MissMaple82 · 25/12/2022 07:19

Hoardasurass · 25/12/2022 04:15

Antibiotics won't help with a virus (cold, flu or most tummy bugs) they only work on bacterial infections. He most likely fainted due to dehydration and or lack of food, what he needs is some dioralite (sp), fluid, sleep and sugar not a&e

I was prescribed antibiotics for gastroenteritis, that was severe D&V!

Original poster
Minimalme · 25/12/2022 07:19

snowbellsxox · 25/12/2022 07:15

My colleague had this and turned septic

I had just been reading up on sepsis before I posted. It is shocking how quickly it happens.

I have checked dh for bluish tinged lips and asked if his breathing feels ok or if he has any pain and all of those seem ok.

I will be keeping a close eye on him. I am worried he may have a chest infection but he is certain he doesn't.

OP posts:
Nimbostratus100 · 25/12/2022 07:22

I'd say A and E definitely - I was always taught that fainting while already sitting down was a red flag

maeveiscurious · 25/12/2022 07:23

I have the flu as well, it's difficult to eat or drink. I'm drinking pints of cordial as they are a great electrolyte.

Rest and fluids are so important.

theparkisrising · 25/12/2022 07:23

Is he taking Night Nurse? That can make me faint.

motleymop · 25/12/2022 07:25

Poor you. What a starr to Christmas Day 😕

Muddywaters1 · 25/12/2022 07:25

Oh bless him - not often we are sympathetic to poorly men on here, but I think he has definitely earned a very uns-mumnetty get better hug! Hope he manages a little bit of festive cheer today

ThisGirlNever · 25/12/2022 07:26

He might have fainted due to low blood pressure caused by dehydration.

Do you have any isotonic drinks in the house (e.g. lucozade sport). If not see if you can find any recipes online. If he's been vomiting/shitting for a week, he'll need salts and sugars.

motleymop · 25/12/2022 07:36

Minimalme · 25/12/2022 07:16

DH has fainted twice before in the toilet in the 20 years we've been together.

He is useless at going to the doctors. He made me laugh earlier by saying "if I had the energy, I'd lie in the field and let the elements take me".

His grim sense of humour has served us well over the years.

Show quote history

Love this! I might use it myself at some point!

ElizabethBest · 25/12/2022 07:36

Ok first, STOP GOOGLING. You’ll only give yourself a panic. If you’ve all had a stomach bug with no ill effects, it’s reasonable to assume that’s what he has. Fainting on the loo is oddly very common in men. He’s likely dehydrated from being unwell - get some lucozade or dioralyte into him, or just some water with a little salt and sugar in, and he’ll probably perk up very soon.

hope he feels better soon!

craggyrat · 25/12/2022 07:40

I’ve fainted three times over the years on the loo! Each time when have had gastroenteritis. It is now a family joke…. First time broke my nose on bathroom floor. That time out of hours GP came out but it was just a matter of rest and rehydrating. Stayed in bed a day and was fine after that. I think I’m just prone to it but I always pick up really quickly afterwards so hope your DH does the same.

lightlypoached · 25/12/2022 07:44

Fluids!

Apparently fluids are used by the bone marrow to create white blood cells, which are used to fight the infection, so if you don't have enough fluids, not only can your body not work properly but your immune system is being hampered.

Drink !

Even if he brings it up again he will have absorbed some of it.

Get dioralylte sachets if you can, if not the recipe given above by a PP will help too.

Lockheart · 25/12/2022 07:53

I agree it sounds like he "just" has the flu. Get some sugar and salts into him, keep him hydrated, and keep up the paracetamol and ibuprofen. If he can eat a little then keep that up.

If he starts becoming confused or slurring his speech, if his skin becomes cold / clammy, if his heart rate and breathing become fast, or if his temperature becomes low or becomes higher than what you'd expect having seen him this week, then you need to get him medical attention.