to take my 16mo to doctor's with diarrhoea?

[Rootatoot]

My LO has been poorly on and off for 16 days now. Started with high fever and sickness, then got better for 3 days. Then started with vomitting and diarrhoea. The nurse at GPs advised we couldn't take him in because of norovirus and how infectious it is (fair enough). She advised poss cryptosporidium as he'd been swimming and apparently there had been an alert that it was present in 'a' local pool but they didn't know which one. Had test done but there wasn't much poop to test as it was just watery (sorry if TMI). Since then appetite back but won't eat most things. Seems to just want porridge, biscuits and custard. Am aware that these are all a bit milky which isn't best but he has to eat something. Thought the poop was perhaps improving all be it a bit loose. But then had screaming pains and lots of diarrhoea again last night.

The test for crypto was negative, as was rotovirus. If it was norovirus it wouldn't have lasted this long though would it?

AIBU to go to the children's drop in clinic today? If I ring up I just get the nurse who is brusque and dismissive. I would prefer to speak to a doctor but I won't get past the nurse if I ring up.

No don't go - just ring or ring NHS Direct.

It might just be the tail end of the bug and the milky food is not helping.

BRAT diet - bananas, rice, apples and toast.

Ime, yes bugs can last this long especially if you give milk based foods.

Can you phone and book a phone call with the duty doctor? We can do this in our practice. They're usually much more amenable to you taking the baby in, and have arranged to see my DS over lunchtime (ie no other patients in the surgery) when they thought it was something infectious.

I wouldn't think he is infectious 16 days on and agree that dirarrhoea may well be being exacerbated by milky diet. As long as he is not dehydrated and is drinking fluid (not fruit juice!) and has not lost a substantial amount of weight, I would sit tight and change the diet. If stool samples have gone off for Rotavirus etc.. it will have screened for other bugs like salmonella and campylobacter too, so I would be reasurred.

Just occaisionally, a bug can trigger an autoimmune response like coeliac disease, so if he is losing weight, failing to thrive and still has symptoms in another 2-3 weeks, I would take him in.

Of course you shouldn't take him to a drop in clinic when he may be infectious.

Tbh it sounds like he is getting better albeit slowly so either see how he goes or phone the GP for a telephone consultation.

sometimes, after a nasty bug, babies can lose an enzyme in their stomach, which breaks down, lactose, making them temporarily lactose intolerant. Try and not give milk at all today, or any milk products, hard cheese is OK,, phone NHS direct and tell them what you have said here, good luck, it's horrible when they're so ill.

Could be rotavirus..it lasts for ages

Sorry i hadnt read that rotavirus test negative

Cut down on fibre?

DS had diarrhoea for weeks and the gp kept telling us to wait. It did go away.
DS was not poorly as such.

Maybe your DS's will also just go away. But its maddening.

Thanks for help/suggestions, esp wilson. I rang and asked if they had a duty GP I could speak to and they got one to ring me back. He's suggested they re-do the stool sample tests (as it was just watery last time and thinks may get more accurate result). Also said if it carries on, he's happy for me to come in and see him by appointment.

Pleased with that. Didn't know they had a duty GP who would ring. Seems if you ask to SEE a doc, then you get the nurse but if you ask to speak to a doc, they'll get duty gp to phone. Result.

glad it worked out and hope the wee one is better soon.