tummy bug

[phae]

My 3yr old has tummy bug. First threw up on monday, since then not a thing has gone down without comming straight back up. Not even a tiny sip of water. She has dramatically lost weight, is begging for milk. I'v tried diralite, come straight back up. At what point do I take her to hospital. She's becomming very weak. Her colour is ok. Temperature ok. Is there anything I could try?

[woofgang]

Assuming that you live in the UK, would get the doctor involved NOW before you think about carting her to hospital. have you given her a little milk? its is strange how sometime the body knows what it can handle.

[maggie01]

I would get a doctor to look at her as she is probably getting dehydrated. Children can't afford to lose too much weight.

[Drusilla]

Your daughter needs to see a doctor now! At her age, the dangers of dehydration are far more pronounced than in adults. Is she urinating properly? Does her urine, if any, appear darker than usual?
Dehydration in one so young is not merely a matter of varying levels of salt and potassium, it can lead to problems with her internal organs and may require intravenous intervention to speed up the re-hydration process.

[qapmoc]

Phae, I dont often read something which makes me go cold but I just with your post!! at her age and she has not had water and that means no electrolytes since monday she will be getting to an advanced and maybe dangerous state of dehydration.

If She has these signs of mild to moderate dehydration:

dry mouth
few or no tears when crying
fussy behavior in infants
no urination for 6 to 8 hours in children
soft spot on an infant's head that looks flatter than usual or somewhat sunken
Get her to the Doctor as soon as possible. No excuses do it.

If She has these signs of severe dehydration:

very dry mouth (looks "sticky" inside)
dry, wrinkled, or doughy skin (especially on the belly and upper arms and legs)
inactivity or decreased alertness
appears weak or limp
sunken eyes
sunken soft spot in an infant
excessive sleepiness or disorientation
deep, rapid breathing
no urination for more than 6 to 8 hours in infants
no urination for more than 8 to 10 hours in children
fast or weakened pulse

Take her to the Hospital NOW, it doesn't matter what you had planned for today do it NOW.

[phae]

Thank you for your replies.... its just that last week she had a nasty fall and hit her lip which swelled. Again, she couldnt eat or drink anything and after 48 hours I drove her to the hospital under the strict instruction of the nhs direct helpline.

Once there, we waited for ages. Once i saw the doctor, I explained that I was worries about dehydration, where I was told that children are tougher than we think... she can go ages without water or food.... and I will know if she is dehydrated because she will develop very dark circles under her eyes and look 'malnutritioned', like poor african children. These are the words of the hospital doctor... I swear.

I think it was actually in the waiting room that she actually caught the bug!

She's miserable yes. Whining for milk bottle yes. but other than that she's sitting up watchin tv. I am worried about her weight going down and really worried about dehydration, but keep thinking what the doctor said.

Now i'm really confused.

[stanleyman]

Never ever let a child wait for medical care, do it now. Better to be a false alarm than a funeral!

[stanleyman]

This could be something different and doctors can get it wrong, get a second opinion if necessary, you won't rest unit you know all is ok.

[maggie01]

She's your daughter. Doesn't matter how much of a nuisance the doctors may think you are. They are not always right. If necessary ask for a second opinion. Ring the doctor today!

[B00]

phae- please tell us how you've got on?

[phae]

Docs say shes borderline dehydrated and just try and get some fluid in her!!

If she continues for next few days, she will need intravenous help.

She's managed to eat a piece of toast without comming up, and a small glass of water.

Then I got over ambitous because she seemed much better...... gave her some more water and a tiny bit of pasta dinner tonight and everything came out!

But she does seem a little perkier! I presume, that even though it comes back up, she gets some fluid and nutrition out of what goes in.....

I'l see how she goes tonight, but shes actually walking around, doing play dough and jigsaws... so im guessing shes comming to the end of it. She literally hasnt said a word for the past three days other than cry and mumble, and now she's chattering away even though she just threw up 2 minutes ago.

Thank you for your answers.... if she takes a turn for the worse, i'l take her back to doc in morning

[maggie01]

I am pleased she is looking better. Just try giving her small amounts of food and drink and hopefully she will keep it down. It's very worrying with children, they are up one minute and down the next.

[B00]

phae- thank you so much for keeping us informed, I was really worried about her on your behalf (are we a simple lot on here or what?)

Glad she appears to be over the worst of it now, must be a relief for you.

:-)

[Mistopheles]

If she's still having trouble keeping liquids down, try flat lemonade. I've no idea why, but it's much easier on the stomach - you'll often find you can keep it down even if you can't hold down water.

[clarence222]

hi, if you are still worried your child is not eating or drinking then i have a solution. It worked for me when i had my son.He was 16 months when he had the same symptoms no eating or drinking and being a 1st time mum i was very worried. i was at the point of taking him to the doc when i read a story on the internet about a young baby who would not eat or drink. the baby was very ill.The solution they found was OLIVE OIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! .Everyday 4 times a day they massaged olive oil all over his body everywhere.and amasingly he put on weight .I treid it andit really worked good luck