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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Getting a bit worried about toddler illness. Too soon for GP?

27 replies

lolip89 · 17/04/2025 21:49

Well out of hours now I suppose with the Easter hol.

On Monday my 4 year old was complaining of bad stomach ache. He then vomited a few times.

Since Monday he has stopped vomiting but I have never seen diarrhea like it. He is tired and has spent every day since Monday morning lay on the sofa, occasionally he'll say he wants to play and will for about 5 mins before saying he needs to rest and doesn't feel well.

His poo is like yellow water and a lot of the time he doesn't even realise its come out. He's back in a nappy right now because he can't even tell when it's coming a lot of the time. When he does make it to the toilet ite like a tap. At night he will leak 2 -3 times and is so upset when he realises. I have to wake him to clean him because he just sleeps through doing it.

He's very thirsty and I'm conscious of dehydration so have been giving him sips of water frequently. I find if he gulps down loads it just comes straight out. I have tried the powder from the chemist but he doesn't like it.

He barely wants to eat, he will pick at a piece of toast or a few mini cheddars. The most I got him to eat yesterday was some grapes, a piece of melon and a bite of toast. I don't know how there is anything left to come out. I took him into the garden today for some fresh air and he just sat there looking so tired and miserable.

I understand it's probably just a nasty bug and there is nothing they can do but how long would you leave them like this before taking them in? I was really hoping he'd be a bit better today but he's exactly the same as he has been all week.

OP posts:
Suzuki76 · 17/04/2025 21:52

Honestly? I'd be calling 111 because of the risk of dehydration. He might need a drip after 4 days of this.

Ukholidaysaregreat · 17/04/2025 21:52

Hmm. That is a long time to feel so poorly. D+V usually only lasts a day or two. If he is no better in the morning I would take him to the Drs, walk in centre or something like that. Hope they are feeling better soon.

tryingtobesogood · 17/04/2025 21:53

I think you should take him now. It’s very likely he is dehydrated as well as being unwell. I’m sure you don’t want to take him at night but he sounds very very poorly.

Bluebell865 · 17/04/2025 21:54

I would ring 111 or get him seen. DC had similar as a toddler and was admitted for IV fluids.

vincettenoir · 17/04/2025 21:54

Agree with pp. I’d call 111. Sometimes they can arrange an appointment at a minor injuries unit.

Gundogday · 17/04/2025 21:54

I’d worry about dehydration also.

Arlanymor · 17/04/2025 21:54

Poor lad - call 111 and if they direct you to A&E then that's the route to go. They can call ahead and get him triaged in advance. I hope he gets well soon.

Paintandpots · 17/04/2025 21:55

Honestly if i was in your shoes i would take him in. That is a long time to have a tummy bug/ whatever it could be, like that one. I would ring 111 before the morning first to see what they think too - they might have advice or be able to book him in at walk in centre if your gps is usually busy?

Hercisback1 · 17/04/2025 21:56

I'd call 111 and I'm a pretty hard touch when it comes to kids illness. He may be lethargic due to dehydration.

lolip89 · 17/04/2025 21:58

Thanks I think you're right.

He has little moments where he will ask to play and be smiley, happy and I think he must be starting to feel better but within 5 mins he's complaining of feeling tired again and is back lay on the sofa. He's had D&V in the past but it's always been a 1-2 day sort of thing.

OP posts:
Whyx · 17/04/2025 22:01

111 reduces your wait time so best to call there first especially if he is getting some sleep just now. Get him up once you know where you are to go.

We had similar here once but perhaps not quite as bad. The sickness and diarrhea lasted more than a week. It was just a really nasty bug so hopefully that's all this is too. The dehydration is the biggest problem to tackle.

ParkHse86 · 17/04/2025 22:03

My mum is an A&E nurse - any child under 5 definitely see a GP with those symptoms after a couple of days. I'd call 11 and see if there is an out of hours GP available. In the meantime, high importance is try and keep them sipping water.

Namerchangee · 17/04/2025 22:04

111 OP, as others have said. Poor little chap, hope he’s on the mend soon. Look after yourself too.

JollyGreenSnake · 17/04/2025 22:08

Some kids get a temporary lactose intolerance after a diarrhea bug, where the cramps and diarrhea from lactose intolerance actually seem worse than the initial norovirus. I think it would be reasonable to call for advice.
As an aside, I'm wondering why you consider a 4 year old to be a toddler? Where I live, toddlers are 1-3, and 3+ are pre-schoolers!

Trampoline · 17/04/2025 22:12

Is he having wees? If not, or not regularly, he probably needs to be on IV fluids. It is likely a nasty gastric bug but young children get dehydrated quickly. If he's listless, definitely dial 111 and get him seen. Hope he feels better soon, poor poppet.

RoundAndRoundTheTable · 17/04/2025 22:13

Yes I’d call 111 at this point, kids can become badly dehydrated easily.

JessicaPeach · 17/04/2025 22:16

I'd call 111 too. That sounds absolutely horrendous and having him checked over would be the right thing to do. If you get an appt you could try and have a sample ready to take as I'd guess they will want to test it. A friend of mine has just had campylobacter, not sure if that's a wild leap but thought worth mentioning.

BirdIsland · 17/04/2025 22:18

The yellow watery poo sounds like it might be an infection - cryptosporidium or something like that. Definitely get him seen at the hospital.

mynameiscalypso · 17/04/2025 22:18

I’m pretty relaxed normally but I’d definitely be calling 111 at this point I think and probably expecting to end up in A&E.

ToKittyornottoKitty · 17/04/2025 22:20

I’d have already contacted the GP before now. Try 111 and see what they say

Motherofdragons24 · 17/04/2025 22:21

Oh OP I could have wrote this last week! My 4yo DD had EXACTLY the same. Vomiting, yellow diarrhoea which was just yellow water basically, had to put a nappy on her (never had an accident since she was two). Didn’t eat for 5 days. Was terrible, I really feel for you. By all means call the gp and get them checked but it did pass for us, day 5 and I seen a some improvement, by day 7 she was back to her normal self. Our GP did give us some ondansetron (anti sickness meds) which really did help.

atamlin · 17/04/2025 22:23

I’d call 111 to be sure, they will probably recommend you get him seen to be on the safe side and get some fluids into him. We all had something that sounds very similar to this a couple of weeks ago and it was AWFUL.

Justyouwaitandseeagain · 17/04/2025 22:25

very weak squash can be easier to hold onto than plain water

Balloonhearts · 17/04/2025 22:32

Don't give him any fruit or dairy. No milk, no yoghurts, no melon. Salty carbs will be easier to keep down, you want to bind him up a bit, fruit will have him shitting through the eye of a needle and you do become lactose intolerant for a while after a bug so milk will do him no favours either.

Try water biscuits. Put a little butter on them if he won't eat them as they are but not too much.

Ready salted crisps might work. Mini cheddars. Weak squash will be easier than water but not fresh juice. This is one time when junk food does prevail

QuickPeachPoet · 17/04/2025 23:56

BirdIsland · 17/04/2025 22:18

The yellow watery poo sounds like it might be an infection - cryptosporidium or something like that. Definitely get him seen at the hospital.

I thought that or food poisoning (although he is the only one to have it). Poor lad. Get him fixed!

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