Imodium for gastroenteritis?

[GreenGoth89]

DSS is 5 and has had on/off sick, mild fever and diarrhoea since Monday. Seen the out of hours who gave rehydration salts (which DSS won't have so have been making diluted rice water and squash instead), he won't eat but is drinking, still a bit lethargic. But this is really dragging on now - can I get over the counter Imodium or should I just take him to the GP tomorrow?

Do not give a child Imodium!!

If you stop him pooing it will trap the virus inside him rather than give the body a way for it to escape.

Neither! Definitely don't give him imodium, and don't take him to the GP unless you're unable to keep him decently hydrated.

Unless you're meaning he's had diarrhoea since Monday 5th, rather than Monday this week? If so, maybe a GP visit is in order.

Imodium not recommended for under 12s as far as I'm aware?

It needs to come out I'm afraid, call 111 if you're worried.

No don't give immodium. Can you have your GP call you?

Immodium isn't suitable for children. Keep up fluids and give plain starchy foods if he wants food

No Imodium for children. It isn't safe.

If he's tolerating fluids that's fine. Doesn't matter about food. His gut needs to deal with the bug and not worry about digesting food as well.

48 hours isn't that long to be honest, most viral gastroenteritis bugs go on for five days or so. In the case of rotavirus you can have symptoms for up to 10 days.

If he is drinking with the symptoms you describe he shouldn't need to see a doc ether tbh. Maybe give him something with a bit of sugar in it though e.g. Ribena.

Hope he feels better soon.

48 hours isn't that long for a bug.

As long as he's drinking, eating doesn't matter. Apple juice is supposed to be good and ice lollies work well as a way of getting fluids in.

Forgot, no you can't give Imodium.

Make sure it's full sugar squash! Ribena and Vimto are great. Have you also tried the dioralyte in something like Ribena or Vimto?

And again, please don't give immodium

Even with squash he still won't go near dioralyte. But he did manage 2 spoons of rice this evening...

Dioralyte is disgusting. Give him a sugary drink and a bag of crisps instead!