Queen Elizabeth II stayed overnight in hospital

The Queen has left Kind Edward VII hospital after being admitted there "as a precaution"

15:23 04 March 2013

Queen Elizabeth II has reportedly left hospital after being admitted to King Edward VII hospital on Sunday. The Queen, who is 86 years old, had been suffering from a stomach illness Buckingham Palace confirmed.

Based on reports, Britain’s monarch is thought to be in "good health", and that the visit to the London hospital was done as a "precaution".

A spokesperson for the Palace previously said: "The Queen is being assessed at the King Edward VII hospital, London, after experiencing symptoms of gastroenteritis. As a precaution, all official engagements for this week will regrettably be either postponed or cancelled."

It is believed that the Queen, who rarely seems to be ill, began with the symptoms of gastroenteritis at the start of the weekend. She was later admitted to King Edward VII hospital.

As a result of the bug, certain plans had to be cancelled or suspended. This week the Queen was due to visit Rome on Wednesday and Thursday. And with regards to St. David’s Day (which was on Friday, 1st March) a celebratory engagement had to be cancelled.

The last time the monarch was admitted to hospital was ten years ago, over a knee operation. The pregnant Duchess of Cambridge, aged 31, was also in hospital in December last year with regards to severe morning sickness.

The NHS.uk website states that the symptoms of gastroenteritis can include the following;

•    Diarrhoea
•    Nausea or sickness
•    Stomach pains
•    High temperature

One side-effect is often dehydration, which an elderly person in particular should avoid as fluids that are lost should be replaced.