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Baby viral infection, now foul smelling diarrhea

7 replies

Jellybel · 11/03/2022 21:38

Hello - hope someone can advise as my GP surgery is closed and I don't want to ring NHS 111 unnecessarily and waste their time if I'm just being an anxious first time mum.

My DS is almost 12 months and started nursery just over a week ago. Last Friday after his third settling in session he became very sniffly and then ended up with a high temperature which reached 40 on Sunday. He spent Sunday very lethargic too and had no appetite. I know at nursery he'll pick up bugs all the time but I rang111 and they advised that he had a viral infection which would go away in about 3 days.
So...he started to get better and then went back to nursery yesterday and the day before. No temperature and back to his normal playful self but just very snotty. We've now had 2 nights where he's woken and poo'ed in the night (which he never does) and is also coughing a little (not continuous). He's cried and wouldn't settle back to sleep for 4/5 hours! Sometimes he'd stop crying and just play!
Now today he's been cranky most of the day but has been playing a bit. But he definitely has diarrhea. The poo smells foul and is very watery and grainy and sometimes light coloured. He's still awake now after another poo and won't go back to sleep.
Now what I'm wondering is whether this diarrhea could be linked to the viral infection in which case should I ring 111 given that he's now been ill for a week? Or could the diarrhea be just because of teething or because we've started introducing cow's milk as a drink (he's had cow's milk in his cereal since 6 months though).
So sorry this is long. I'm just worried about ignoring the fact that he's been ill so long and hence overlooking anything that could be seriously wrong.

OP posts:
Jellybel · 11/03/2022 21:42

His appetite has obviously been affected for a few days too but he's still drinking milk and in fact seems to be very hungry for milk during the night. Just not hungry in the day
Also fyi...these split nights had started back in January and had started to improve until he became ill. So now I'm worried the split nights are starting again too. Last night he was awake from 11pm until 3am and the previous night he was awake from 11pm until 4am!

OP posts:
Jellybel · 11/03/2022 21:43

Sorry for third post...he's awake now but babbling

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Tee20x · 11/03/2022 21:48

I would just ring 111 and take him to GP anyway. Don't worry about wasting their time, that's what they're there for and you're concerned. You're right in saying that when they first start nursery they will literally be forever sick, but if you're worried it's best to get him seen to.

I wouldn't worry so much about the cough/diarrhoea the biggest thing is how he is within himself. If you're saying he seems tired and lethargic along with all the rest of it it's best to double check.

I'm sure it's likely nothing though and just normal bugs.

Jellybel · 11/03/2022 22:35

Thanks @Tee20x - glad I'm not obviously overreacting x

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pickledprincess · 13/03/2022 19:37

Hi @Jellybel did you get any answers?, my little one has pretty much the same symptoms. Been just over a week now and not much improvement. Debating taking them back the dr tomorrow

Jellybel · 17/03/2022 21:38

@pickledprincess - im so sorry I missed your post somehow. I spoke to the doctor and they are not concerned. Said the diarrhea is linked to the viral infection and just to give plenty of fluids and normal food as much as he'll eat. He's still sick though...the diarrhea has dissipated but he still has a runny nose and very chesty cough. I got told that if the diarrhea lasts for more than 5 days then I needed to ring them again. As long as he seems well in himself and is playing etc and there's no blood in the stools then all is fine.

How is your little one now??

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pickledprincess · 18/03/2022 12:47

@Jellybel More or less been told the same thing! He is keeping more down but the cough seems to be what makes him sick. He does seem happier overall tho so I think its on the way out. No idea what the virus was (not covid!) but it did hit him really hard.
Fingers crossed they are both over it soon

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