To consider taking DS (20mo) to hosp?

[ScampiFriesRuleOK]

I know this should go in Health really, but I'm getting in a real flap and need to canvas as much opinion about wwyd.

DS (20mo) has has D&V since Saturday night and has either not kept anything down (Sat - Mon) or else has been refusing food and fluids since.

He's no longer vomiting but the extremely offensive-smelling diarrhea persists. He has had an intermittent temperature (Calpol helps) and appears pale and tired and listless.

Today he's at least accepting water and grapes, special Im tempted to think he's on the mend, but Im concerned that if he's got something really nasty that perhaps he might need some further attention.

I've had conflicting advice. Too himcto GP pneumonia Tues who advised to take him to Children's Hosp if he still was refusing fluids the following morning. However, ad he's accepting fluids now I feel like a hypochondriac taking him there (when D&V is a common childhood illness).

But Im just in a quandary and don't know what to do.

What would you do?

Ffs- that was so all of typos, Im ashamed. Typing on phone one-handed whilst DS sleeps in lap, and can't seem to see message as Im writing it (daft phone).

Apologies.

If he's taking fluids and starting to eat, I would wait, but be ready to go in if he is worse later.

IME, bugs at that age can seem to go on forever.

I imagine if he hasn't had any fluids between Sat and today and has been D&V, then he's going to be really dehydrated? If the GP told you to take him yesterday but you didn't and he's only had a little water then I'd still be worried. An ongoing temp suggests he's still poorly too. If I were you I'd be back on the phone to the GP/NHS Direct and take it from there.

If he's stopped vomiting and is eating and drinking he probably doesn't need to go to hospital.

See the GP again if you're concerned but you could see how he goes today re drinking (eating is less important).

If he has started tolerating fluids maybe ask your gp/nurse/pharmacist if they would recommend dioralyte so he replenishes his Electrolytes. He must be dehydrated.
As said above, if it's been going on a few days and he still has a temp I would speak to gp again or take him to A&E.

I would phone NHS direct or get a call back from the doctor at the surgery. Ask a professional for advice.

Sounds like rotavirus that's a nasty d&v bug and comes with an obnoxious smell. Ds2 has had it twice and it took ages to clear both times. If your ds is taking some fluids and a little food that is good. I would call your gp if they do phone consultations, but not take ds down because its contagious to under 5's /
Low immune sufferers.

Hope your DS is on the mend now

He probably is on the mend but even so quite likely to be dehydrated. No one would think it would be unreasonable of you to get him seen straight away and you are obviously worried. If I were you I would take him to the hospital (I am an ex health professional).

Thanks for all the replies and advice. It was very gratefully received and I'm just very sorry that it's taken me ages to come back and update.

I did take him to the nearest children's hospital to have him checked. However, I got the impression they were a bit as to why I was there, as DS seemed to rally once we were there strutting round the nurses station with a sick bowl on his head like a trilby

We were there about 4 hours, until DS had demonstrated that he would drink and wee.

I think I did the right thing though, just in terms of putting mind at rest (and I followed the advice of nos direct and my GP).

Thanks again all those who posted.

Why do they always do that?? You are not alone in having a dying child instantly revive on arriving in hospital/drs surgery for review. You definitely did the right thing. As a nurse I can assure you we would much rather you came along and there was no problem, than you stay home and he become critically Ill before he gets to hospital.
So glad he's recovered.

You definitely did the right thing, much better you arrived and all ok than you didn't and DS was really poorly. Glad he is on the mend.

Yes, you did the right thing. Glad he's feeling better.