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Main Category: GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology
Also Included In: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Article Date: 03 Mar 2013 - 11:00 PST
Queen Elizabeth II has been admitted to hospital with a stomach bug, Buckingham Palace informed yesterday. A palace spokesperson said she was admitted to King Edward VII Hospital with symptoms of gastroenteritis.

According to Buckingham Palace, the Queen has been hospitalized as a precaution, while an assessment of the symptoms of her gastroenteritis is made.

The Queen's official engagements for this week, which include a trip to Rome, Italy, will either be postponed or cancelled. She had been resting at Windsor Palace where she carried out a medal presentation.

Apart from the current symptoms of gastroenteritis, the Queen is in "good health", the palace spokesperson said. According to the BBC, Buckingham Palace described the current move by her medical team as "..a precautionary measure. She was not taken into hospital immediately after feeling the symptoms. This is simply to enable doctors to better assess her."

Queen Elizabeth II, aged 86, is otherwise in good health, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson informed

The last time the Queen was in hospital was in 2003, when she had keyhole surgery on both knees. In 2006, a strained back made her cancel her attendance at the opening of the new Emirates Stadium (the current home of Arsenal Football Club, London). In the same year, she was seen with a bandage on her right hand after being bitten by one of her Corgis - she had been trying to separate two of them while they were fighting.

News of the Queen's current gastroenteritis was made public on Friday, March 3rd.

What is gastroenteritis?

Gastroenteritis is an infection of the stomach and the large intestine (bowel). It is usually caused by bacteria, food poisoning, parasites, or viruses.

The most common causes of gastroenteritis among adults in the United Kingdom are bacterial food poisoning or norovirus infection. The infection undermines the absorption of water from the contents of the intestines into the body.

The most common complication from gastroenteritis is dehydration, caused by watery diarrhea and vomiting. Gastroenteritis complications are more common among young children and elderly patients.

Gastroenteritis signs and symptoms typically include:

• Watery diarrhea
• Painful cramps
• Bloating
• Headaches
• Low grade fever
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• General weakness

Treatment for gastroenteritis - as the condition is usually self-limiting and not long-lasting, it does not usually require prescription medications - in most cases, the body can fight off the infection. Treatment is concentrated on rehydration - replacing lost fluids and electrolytes, salts and water that are lost in vomit or diarrhea.

Fluids may be replenished either by ORT (oral rehydration therapy) or through intravenous delivery (a drip). In severe cases, or a suspected bacterial cause, the doctor may recommend using antibiotics, and antiemetics (medication to stop vomiting). Antimotility (anti-diarrhea) drugs are usually discouraged, especially if the patient has bloody diarrhea or diarrhea with fever.

Written by Christian Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

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