Hi there, In that area of the abdomen, it is most likely to be something like gastritis. It was probably triggered by the stress of fighting off the stomach bug, and the acetaminophen (APAP) dulled the pain for a while. What would make it more likely would be other symptoms like bloating, burping or either worsening/improving with food intake. One option to consider is medication that reduces acid in the stomach, giving it time to rest and heal. Examples of these are like omeprazole or ranitidine, to be taken for at least a week. He could do these alone, but he could also add antacids like magnesium trisilicate on top of that as a rescue to neutralise acid in the stomach whenever he feels any pain. Be careful to space the antacids at least 2 hours apart from other prescription medication, because they reduce absorption of some types of medication. Be careful with his diet in the meantime. Avoid spicy and sour foods, don t take any alcohol and caffeine, and don t smoke. Go slow on the proteins and dairy, because these tend to empty out of the stomach slower. Therefore they tend to further irritate the stomach, which is already inflamed to begin with. Do note that in some people, the pain of a heart attack can also be felt in the upper abdomen. If he is at high risk, for example if he smokes, is diabetic, or has a strong family history of heart attacks, this should be considered as well. What would make this more likely would be symptoms like breathlessness, cold sweats, palpitations, or the pain worsening with activity. If this is the case, then he needs to go to an emergency room as soon as possible. Hope this helps, and all the best to you and your husband. Regards, Dr. Teh