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How best to help a vomiting child?

1 reply

Solo2 · 09/03/2010 16:36

DS1 seems to have a nasty gastroenteritis virus and has been vomiting at intervals of every 5 to 10 minutes, constantly, cince 8.30pm last night. I've sat up with him all night and am v worried about him as he's not rallying.

I called NHS Direct and they ruled out anything more insidious than a tummy bug.

What I'm wondering is how long can an 8 yr old go with continual vomiting, and no food and virtually no fluids. Every single time he takes a minute sip of water, he throws up copiously. As he's still peeing occasionally - maybe 3 times today, I assume he's not totally dehydrated. But when do I start to worry a lot about this?

Aside from this, I think I'm getting the same bug - or else just suffering from no sleep all last night and the probability I'll get none tonight either. DS2 is bound to get it also and I'm not sure how we'll manage, especially if I'm really ill.

This comes on the back of my other recent post about DS2 getting recurrent migraine-like headaches. He was ill with these all w/e but fine for the last 2 days. But if he gets them again, PLUS the vomiting bug, PLUS I get ill too, how will I cope? (BTW, I'm single)

Finally, does anyone know how ling these nasty vomiting bugs last?

OP posts:
mathanxiety · 09/03/2010 16:42

Keep off the water, go for something fizzy but flat instead. Sports drinks (colourless) or pediatric rehydrating drinks are the best though, because they supply electrolytes. Water tends to come straight back up when someone has a vomiting bug.

If he's still peeing occasionally, and if his feet and palms are not feeling dry and hot, and eyes seem 'wet', not sunken and dim, then he's doing just about ok.

Don't waste your energy anticipating the next horrible thing, just take it one day at a time and keep your fingers crossed.

Good luck xxx

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