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Queen Elizabeth II Hospitalized, Still Fighting Stomach Bug

By Cheri Cheng | Update Date: Mar 04, 2013 10:15 AM EST

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II was hospitalized Sunday afternoon and still has yet to be released. The Queen was admitted to King Edward VII's hospital in London for precautionary measures after she felt unwell and could not retain her food and liquids. The doctors diagnosed the 86-year-old with a stomach bug and stated that Queen Elizabeth II will be staying for two days to insure her health.

Queen Elizabeth II started feeling the symptoms of the bug on Saturday and decided to cancel a trip to Wales. The Queen was diagnosed with gastroenteritis, which is caused by inflammation in the stomach lining and intestines. Gastroenteritis can be passed from person to person and although it is usually caused by a virus, it can also be caused by bacteria found in food or another body.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that the influenza virus, which has been severely inflicting the elderly, does not cause gastroenteritis.  However, hospitals tend to keep elderly patients a bit longer since the stomach bug has to run its course. Doctors tend to give elderly patients intravenous fluids to prevent dehydration and kidney failure during their stay. Gastroenteritis is not considered to be deadly but it can last up to 10 days if it is a viral infection.

After the hospitalization, the Queen has cancelled or postponed all official duties and meetings this week, the Buckingham Palace stated. Despite these actions, the palace's spokesperson stated that the Queen "is otherwise in good spirits and good health." The Queen just finished her 60th year on the throne, celebrating that anniversary in 2012. Queen Elizabeth II turns 87 in April.

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