Living with a stoma does not make you more likely to catch seasonal illnesses such as colds, the flu or stomach bugs, but it can change the way your body responds to them and how you manage symptoms. Rest assured that taking the right steps to look after yourself and knowing what to expect, can help you recover more comfortably and reduce the risk of any complications.
How winter viruses can affect ostomates:
When you’re unwell, it’s natural to worry about how sneezing, coughing, vomiting, changes in appetite or dehydration might affect your stoma. Colds and flu can also affect your digestive system, depending on the type of stoma you have.
Ileostomy: Output may become looser and increase in volume, especially if your appetite decreases or you experience a fever, nausea, or vomiting. Because ileostomies naturally produce more liquid stool, dehydration becomes a more of a concern when you are unwell.
Colostomy: Output may slow down if you’re eating less, or it may loosen if you have a stomach bug or are drinking more fluids. You may also notice changes in odour due to illness or medications.
Urostomy: You may produce less urine when dehydrated or running a fever. Urine may appear darker, and mucus in the urine may temporarily increase.
Most of these changes settle once the illness passes, but it’s helpful to monitor output more closely during this time.
Hydration is key:
When you’re fighting an infection, especially one involving a fever or vomiting, your body loses fluid more quickly. Keeping hydrated is crucial for everyone, but it is particularly important for people with an ileostomy because dehydration can happen very quickly.
Tips:
- Sip fluids frequently rather than drinking large amounts at once.
- Rehydration solutions can help replace lost electrolytes.
- Aim for pale yellow urine, especially if you have a urostomy.
- Limit caffeinated drinks if they irritate your stomach or increase output.
- Signs of dehydration include dizziness, headache, dry mouth, dark urine, and a significant drop in stoma output. If these occur, contact a healthcare professional promptly.
Diet:
We often loose our appetite during cold and flu episodes. Eating smaller, more frequent meals can keep your energy levels up without overwhelming your system. Focus on easily digested foods such as soups (no lumps for those with an ileostomy), mashed vegetables, rice, noodles, eggs, or yoghurt. Once you feel better, gradually return to your usual diet.
If you find the output of your stoma is loose try; bananas, white bread or toast, pasta, rice pudding, smooth peanut butter, mashed potato, a handful of jelly babies or marshmallows (not suitable for diabetics). These thicken your output naturally and slow it down.
Managing Coughing and Sneezing
Coughing, sneezing and even the general muscle aches of flu can make your abdominal wall feel more sensitive. While it’s unlikely that coughing alone will cause a hernia, it can place strain around the stoma site. To reduce discomfort:
- Support your abdomen with your hand, a folded towel or a small cushion when coughing.
- Wear a light support garment, if you find it helpful.
- Avoid heavy lifting while you’re unwell.
- If you already have a parastomal hernia, supporting the area becomes even more important during this time.
Medication Considerations
Most over-the-counter cold and flu medicines are safe for people with a stoma, but there are a few points to keep in mind:
- Avoid medications with codeine unless advised by your GP, as they can thicken or slow stoma output significantly.
- Decongestants may cause mild dehydration, so compensate with extra fluids.
- Tablets with enteric or slow-release coatings may not fully break down in people with an ileostomy, causing them to appear in the bag. This usually isn’t harmful, but you may need an alternative formulation.
- Always check with a pharmacist, your GP or your Stoma Care Nurse if you are unsure.
- What to Do If You’re Vomiting
Vomiting can be unsettling when you have a stoma, but it is often caused by the same viruses or food-related illnesses that affect anyone. Most episodes resolve within a couple of days.
Seek urgent help if:
- You have an ileostomy and no output for several hours accompanied by vomiting or cramp-like pain, which may suggest a blockage.
- You cannot keep any fluids down for more than 12–24 hours.
- Vomiting is accompanied by high fever or severe abdominal pain.
During mild vomiting episodes:
- Take small sips of water or rehydration solutions
- Rest your digestive system with light foods once tolerated.
- Avoid very high-fibre foods until your stomach settles.
Skin Care Around the Stoma
Illness can lead to more frequent bag changes, leakage from watery output, or sweating from fever, all of which can irritate the skin around the stoma.
To protect your skin:
- Check the seal of your stoma bag regularly for any leaks.
- Use barrier sprays or wipes if your skin becomes sore.
- If your output becomes looser, try a drainable stoma bag so that you can empty it when needed.
Rest:
Sleep and rest helps us to recover. Any illness makes us want to sleep more, and our body’s take time to return to how we felt before. Rest is crucial when you are ill because it allows your body direct energy towards fighting the virus and recovering. Listen to your body and allow your body time to heal, avoiding any strenuous activity until your strength returns.
When to Seek Medical Advice:
Your stoma care nurse or GP can help support you if you are feeling unwell and you have concerns about your stoma or your health during this period.
Things to look out for are:
- Signs of dehydration that don’t improve with fluids
- A sudden and persistent increase or decrease in stoma output
- Severe vomiting or abdominal pain
- High fever that lasts more than a few days
- Skin damage around the stoma that worsens
