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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Why do we all keep getting gastro?!?!?

39 replies

Poopoopooeverywhere · 18/08/2023 13:24

Name change because this is gross.

We all keep getting gastro - can anyone help us work out what’s up?

Me, DP, the toddler and the baby. Symptoms are loose frequent poo (gunky, airy, grainy texture rather than runny) very stinky ill smelling trapped farts and gurgling sore tummies. It seems like every couple of weeks one of us gets it (usually the toddler) and then one by one the rest of us get it before we have about a three week respite and it begins again. Happened three times now.

We’re really hygienic, hands washed constantly, cleaner comes, all food stored safely. No worms. The toddler has a very clean nanny so nursery isn’t an issue and she seems to be the only person who isn’t constantly getting the sh*ts.

GP is useless, we’ve had stool samples which show nothing and she and just says it’s one of those things but I’m convinced there must be something causing it that we’re missing.

Any ideas?!? Or failing that is this happening to anyone else and there is just some vile bug going around?!?! We’re in North London

OP posts:

Spirallingdownwards · 18/08/2023 13:25

Are you only using "eco" cleaning products which actually don't kill germs and bacteria?

ShortColdandGrey · 18/08/2023 13:32

Have you done a food diary to see if there is a pattern? Although I don't imagine all 4 of you would have the same food intolerance.

Ponoka7 · 18/08/2023 13:33

Is the toddler taken out a lot, or fed different food? It's isn't what aren't you doing, rather what is the toddler doing that you three aren't. Is all bedding/clothes being washed hot enough etc. Is the toddler the only one in a separate bed? etc etc.

Doormatnomore · 18/08/2023 13:42

Are you taking any supplements? During lockdown I changed everyone in thr house onto different Omega oil and it had much the same affect.

Nagado · 18/08/2023 13:42

I’d keep a diary and write down what all three of you are eating daily and where you’re going, then go from there. It would be unusual for all three of you to suffer from the same intolerance to a food item and it would be odd that the nanny isn’t picking it up if she’s taking your child to somewhere with lots of sick kids. Or maybe she’s just taking your DC to the park, they’re mixing with constantly sick kids and your nanny just has an excellent immune system.

Are you taking any vitamins or supplements? Could it be the way you’re preparing a particular food? Or every few weeks you’re reheating rice or something?

Or, have you refused your nanny a pay rise recently? Perhaps she’s putting laxatives in your milk? 😁

Davros · 18/08/2023 13:43

"Gastro"? I thought you meant you've been visiting too many gastropub

Mykittensmittens · 18/08/2023 13:45

In those tests, were you tested for H Pylori?

are you taking any probiotics? Once you’ve had a gastritis once, the stomach is out of balance in terms of its correct and healthy bacteria - it may be a good idea to try and correct this with some probiotic capsules (there is not enough in the little yogurt drinks to do this on any scale). Acidophilus is the one to look for - Amazon sell them.

Feetupteashot · 18/08/2023 13:49

Maybe getting lactose intolerance post gastroenteritis?

Ignore it and will soon settle, keep baby topped up with fluids so doing normal wees

WeWereInParis · 18/08/2023 13:51

Ponoka7 · 18/08/2023 13:33

I think OP meant that the nanny was the only one not getting ill, not the toddler

Magneta · 18/08/2023 13:53

water bottles? They can get quite manky

PerspiringElizabeth · 18/08/2023 13:54

Are your insides just fucked from initial actual bug? Get some One Week Flat and baby probiotics and nurture your guts.

midlifecrash · 18/08/2023 13:56

Is there anywhere bacteria could be you haven’t thought about, eg inside a nozzle attachment to tap (once knew someone get very sick because had stuck nozzle inside a chicken to rinse it and it got full of bacteria)

Peony654 · 18/08/2023 14:01

I've never had any sickness but I'd consider keeping a food diary, a course of probiotics for you all, and look at any other source like water bottles, coffee cups etc.

Peony654 · 18/08/2023 14:01

Spirallingdownwards · 18/08/2023 13:25

Are you only using "eco" cleaning products which actually don't kill germs and bacteria?

I only use "eco" products. No one is my house has ever been sick.

DrFoxtrot · 18/08/2023 14:10

My friends family had this and it turns out that the bottles of milk the toddler was having were just being drunk slowly through the day, probably teeming with bacteria.

Also another family I knew didn't realise you had to wash bottles before sterilising. They thought the steriliser would do it.

Is there something about food prep you might have missed?

FrenchBoule · 18/08/2023 14:14

Either some bad bacteria- plastic drink bottles? Helicobacter pylori?

Lack of good bacteria in the guts- would introduce probiotics.

TheIsaacs · 18/08/2023 14:15

When is the last time you ran a hot cleaning cycle on your washing machine? Cold washing doesn’t kill bacteria, so it’s important you keep up your washing machine cleaning cycle.

Have you also made sure all surfaces are properly cleaned down with anti-bac and anti-viral?

PinkFootstool · 18/08/2023 14:17

I steam clean the house after any bug - light switches, handles, bannisters, doors.... every surface I can find including bathroom walls and the front door. I then use Dettol / similar in the car - handles, hard surfaces etc.

Is the toddler at a day care or nursery? Are they having outbreaks at the same time as your family? I wonder how they are cleaning and if it includes handles etc.

Check all water bottles, bottle prep machines, coffee machines as well...

Cnidarian · 18/08/2023 14:19

My toddler has had recurring gastro issues, went to the doctor who said it can cause a short term dairy intolerance. Cut that out and in a week he was fine.

123ZYX · 18/08/2023 14:20

Have you checked that you're cleaner is using separate cloths for things and cleaning them between visits?

wetpebbles · 18/08/2023 14:25

Deep Clean the dishwasher ?

rhino12345 · 18/08/2023 15:34

Me and DH (and then just me on my own) have had this a few times. Things to consider (which you probably already have, but worth mentioning:

have you been abroad recently? Could you have picked something up whilst away that's a recurring thing? Things like malaria tablets play havoc with my stomach for months afterwards

as others have said, water bottles. A common culprit. Have you got a "hygiene" wash on your dishwasher? You should probably run through anything like water bottles/chopping boards/silicone sippy cups etc through on a super hot wash to rule out that being cause of reinfection

same goes for bedding etc

also checking the filters on dishwashers and washing machines and kettles

disinfecting all "touch points" in the house, so handles, light switches, remotes

BoxOfCats · 19/08/2023 04:15

Do you keep all of your toothbrushes together?

TrishM80 · 19/08/2023 04:23

Davros · 18/08/2023 13:43

"Gastro"? I thought you meant you've been visiting too many gastropub

That's why I hate the term "gastropub", reminds me of gastroenteritis.

sashh · 19/08/2023 05:42

It's usually the oral fecal route.

I used to do a test with students, put washable face paint on their hands, hand out some cans of pop and plastic cups and then just carry on with the lesson, the room is soon covered with facepaint.

You could try this with your family, different colour on each person and you can see what each of you are touching.

Obviously if you have white carpet it might not be a good idea.

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