D&V bug advice

[Crocs35]

My son is 9 and has been ill since Saturday. A day of vomiting-3 or 4 times. Then diarrhea started Sunday I think. He's been off his food, until the last 2 days, yesterday ate the most but still not loads. The diarrhea has increased today, much more frequent. He has been drinking plenty of fluids-just water. Is there anything I can or should do? Someone suggested imodium but chemist assistant advised to just let it run its course. When do I need to call the doctor? Tia.

DS is just coming out of this and has been tough!

I did speak to a 111 doctor on Sunday (he was bright red, delirious, sleeping all the time and couldnt keep anything down) and she said give calpol/neurofen if temp (which we had) and then just fluids and bland food.

It can take a week to pass though

Thanks Quartz, hope your son is feeling better soon, the poor love. Luckily my boy only had a temp for a day.

Hi OP,
I could have written this post about my own son. Sickness started Sat, high temp and no appetite on Sunday. Then Mon he started with diarrhoea and it’s been a combination of all of the above since then.

We managed to get a face to face doctors appointment today and she was happy he’s not dehydrated. A stool sample was sent off yesterday and results should be back tomorrow morning. The doctor seems to think it’s down to something he’s eaten or possibly from swallowing contaminated water as we were on holiday last week and he was in the pool a lot. She is hoping to prescribe antibiotics once the sample results are returned.

I hope your son feels better soon, it may be worth contacting your GP for advice if it persists.

Hi

So it sounds like the bug is working its way through the gut. Immodium is not used as it slows down the gut movement keeping the (usually) virus in it for longer, better to let it travel through.

It often works best to go with how your child feels - if hungry, let them eat - you could try the 'BRAT' diet - Bananas, rice, apples and toast - not all at once but each can be helpful in its own way - Bananas help replace potassium, lost in diarrhoea, rice is starchy (as it toast) and the pectin in apples thickens up things. But it's best to work with what the child feels like (often salty foods or sugary bland foods) - only issue is more food usually equals more diarrhoea.

If there is a lot of diarrhoea you could try rehydration salts, but they generally taste fairly horrible - alternatives can be flat coke (add a pinch of salt to flatten it) or lemonade.

Other than that lots of TLC, good access to the toilet and handwashing/ cleaning door handles to try and prevent the rest of family getting it.

Thanks so much for your messages and suggestions, I really appreciate them. He's still off school today, but less diarrhea today.. so far!

Mine is back today but not sure if he will last the day - still not eating properly and his stomach still hurts.

It was a nasty one

How did your son get on at school, Quartz?

Made it through - and ate a small dinner. Asked for a slightly bigger lunch today as well (took in a roll yesterday) so is slowly getting there

How is yours doing?