Poorly boy

[sherrardk]

Boy #1 (11 years old) has been violently sick about five times today and is feeling very sorry for himself. We are encouraging him to take small sips of water but what else should we be doing? Thanks.

[iloveglee]

If you can get hold of rehydration sachets these are absorbed better and replace lost salts and sugars as well as fluid. Otherwise you can make up your own, half a pint of boiled water with a tablespoon of sugar, large pinch of salt and a little juice. It tastes pretty vile but can be effective. If this persists for more than 24 hours then you should take him to the drs. or if he develops a high temperature or abdominal pain that starts in the middle of the abdomen and then works its way around to the side. It's usually a virus but you have to keep in mind that appendicitis is not uncommon in children of this age. Anything that appears to be getting worse is always a concern. You need to keep your eye on him and make sure he doesn't fall asleep laying on his back

[Buenchico]

Apart from making the water a bit more interesting (e.g. by adding some squash), so that he'll drink more of it, there's probably not a lot you can do [other than pray that the other four don't go down with it!]

As long as he doesn't develop any other symptoms there's probably nothing to worry about; he may well be bouncing back to full health by tomorrow morning. However (obviously) keep a close eye on his temperature and make sure that he tells you about any other symptoms (such as a headache) as soon as possible.

I hope that he's fighting fit soon!

Chris

[NOX]

Arrow root biscuits / morning coffee buscuits are very good for settling violently sick kids stomachs- we always had an emergency supply. Hope he's better soon:)

[iloveglee]

We were always given arrowroot biscuits must be an old remedy!! However don't be tempted to give him any milk or dairy products (except yoghurt preferably the bio variety) as upset stomachs find it difficult to tolerate lactose.

[sherrardk]

Thanks all, he is looking a bit pathetic. I will get some of those rehydration sachets (should have some in at all times really) and see if I can hunt down some arrowroot biscuits (never heard of them). Fingers crossed that other four don't get it!

[woofgang]

our gp advises a small amount of non diet non cola or caffeinated fizzy drink e.g. ginger ale or lemonade with some of the fizz taken out (pour out slowly from a height) and a few plain crisps or dry cream crackers or similar. Repeat little and often.

[erin-x]

My mum used to give me flat lemonade (just sipped through a straw) like Woofgang has mentioned and dry toast. Just buy a little bottle and give it a shake to get the fizz out :)

Hope he's feeling better soon.. being sick is absolutely horrible :( xx

[Eve]

Ginger is quite good for nausea too so some flat ginger ale or ginger biscuits could be good when he's a bit more settled and if he still feels sick.

Any indication where it came from like eating something that disagreed with him or being around anyone with a sickness bug?

[iloveglee]

I remember having a really nasty stomach bug in brazil and they gave me coconut milk (straight from the coconut) which was quite horrible but, don't know if it was co-incidence but after that I began to improve quite rapidly. Not an easy thing to get hold of though. I have heard of the flat coca-cola as well, it's easy to get rid of the fizz, just shake it up, gently let some of the fizz off through the top, and continue to do that until all the fizz has done, doesn't take long.

[sherrardk]

Hi all, thanks for all you ideas (Jenna - there is another bug doing the rounds, thing 1 was sick everrywhere on Wednesday (just once and luckily it was on the lino in the kitchen)). Although, he did eat out yesterday lunchtime (at a Subway) so I suppose it could have been that.

[tinkerbell23]

Flat coke settles the tum and id say plenty fluids ...he will eat when he feels upto it. Poor soul- loads going round just now xxx

[jno]

I've had occasions when fizzy drink - not flat - has worked, even when I haven't been able to keep water down. Youc an always try it.