DS19 has flu and has not eaten for 4 days

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Should we be worried? Should we take him to hospital? He’s just not getting any better. He hasn’t eaten a thing and can’t seem to even keep water down.

FYI, we’re not in the U.K.

Really worried but not sure what to do.

In UK I would call 111 for advice.

Is there an option like that?

Travel insurance - if you holiday they can advice you and help you with local options.

No, we don’t have anything like that.

Not eating will be fine, he will get his appetite back when he's better. If he can't keep water down then he could become dehydrated. I had norovirus a few years ago and the dr prescribed me antisickness tablets so I could drink. Rehydration sachets would be a good thing to get too.

Is he weeing?

Which option do you have?

I’ve been unfortunate to have suffered with the flu 3 times in my life. It took me a least 2 weeks to feel anywhere near ok and on one occasion, I developed pneumonia which took 3 months to recover from.

If your ds is usually in good health and not deteriorating in anyway then just let him rest. Lots of fluids but don’t worry about food atm. Rest and fluids with the appropriate medication is the best thing for flu.

Does he bring fluids up if he lightly sips? Could he suck on some ice cubes?

Flu can last a week or more.

A 19 year old unless he has diabetes or other chronic illness will be fine not eating for that time.

Fluids are a different matter - is he still peeing? This is the best measure for hydration.

If he's struggling with vomiting you could try a fluid challenge - 10mls of fluid (2 teaspoons) every 10 minutes - this is enough to moisten the mouth and be absorbed through the mucosa but shouldn't be enough to trigger the stomach to empty. If he tolerates that double it to 20mls for the next hour. If you can get rehydration sachets from a pharmacist that might be better for him than plain water.

If he can't tolerate that then you need to seek medical advice.

I know you're not in the UK but the following advice is good for red flags.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/flu/

I agree with others don’t worry too much about food but make sure he is well hydrated.

Not eating for 4 days- fine. Not drinking- not fine. He has to keep trying liquids as you absorb it even just while it’s in your mouth, and look for signs of dehydration- Google dehydration and weeing, if he’s not weeing I’d call a doctor. Do a skin pinch and measure how long it takes to flatten, google how many seconds it should be.

Not too worry you but my son had sepsis a few months ago, I thought he just had a vomiting bug but it wasn't getting better, look out for not peeing, headache, legs hurting, rash over his body, ask him to check. It's always better to get checked if this has been ongoing.

Thanks @seensome just checked and he doesn’t appear to have a rash.