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

[Poopoopooeverywhere]

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

What's your diet like? Is there a problem with what you're all eating?

Do you have one of those fridge water systems? I will never use them as they can easily get full of mould.

This is an excellent lesson, nothing like a practical demonstration, but oh my goodness I'm wincing at the idea of cleaning that up properly given how many surfaces would have been touched (and there you have the exact reason bugs spread so easily)! 🤔🙄🤣

My first thought is that the nanny is poisoning the food, but I've probably been listening to too many detective novels.

Change tooth brushes ASAP.

Maybe you're too clean? You need to expose yourself to some bacteria to build up immunity.

TrishM80 I hate the term too, now it will make me think of upset stomachs

People for some reason often don't suspect cooked left over rice. It should be refrigerated and not left out. My mum used to store it outside the fridge. She gave the dog food poisoning several times.

Sometimes having a few tummy bugs regularly can completely mess up the gut biome which will continue the tummy upsets even once the initial virus has left your system. Have you tried a course of probiotics? Optibac probiotics are good and they do ones for kiddies too.

Do you know what the stool samples were tested for? Because giardia is a parasite so unless they're testing for oocytes it wouldn't show up. It tends to sort of lie dormant in the gut and flare every few weeks. My cat had it years ago and I researched it because I was SO paranoid about one of us catching it (we probably wouldnt have because the cat most probably had the feline type which I don't think humans can get - but I'm a worrier)
I have would check with GP if you have been tested for that because the treatment is a course of antibiotics but they're not the usual ones I don't think. Also cryptosporidium might need a specific test but I'm not sure on that

Do you keep your toothbrushes out in close vicinity to the toilet and if so do you close the lid before flushing? Fecal matter is sprayed in all directions for up to 2 metres when you flush the toilet so if your toothbrushes are out then they are a possible point of infection.

To me it sounds like the same bug just reoccurring and you’re not fully getting rid of it and it’s just sitting dormant in your system.

I would take a probiotic and see if it helps but it might be worth seeing the doctor as you might need a dose of something to completely clear it.

Do you do revolting smelling burps when you're in a flare up?

Agree.

I always close the lid & keep toothbrush in a closed cabinet, and sterilize frequently. Also wipe the lid, seat and toilet flusher frequently with bacteria killing agent.