How often does/did your 6 year old vomit or have diarrhoea?

[Dramateacher1]

my 6 year old is ill again with vomiting/diarrhoea that started on Friday. He was last ill with this in the middle of September and has complained a few times since then of feeling sick, but he hasn’t actually been. It seems every every couple of months he is vomiting followed by diarrhoea and it seems too often to me. I’m thinking about taking him to the doctors to see if there is anything underlying…

That does seem a lot, the last time my 7 year old had a vomiting bug was when she was 3.

its only now it’s happening again I’m starting to look back at the other times, just seems like one too many now. I think I’ll phone the doctor in the morning.

I had a similar conversation with dr about my child getting repeated chest infections (we had 4 in as many months). I got told it was due to Covid / lockdowns impacting immunity.

I'd personally not be calling a doctor after two bugs at the most bug catchy time of year. When was he iill prior to September ?

Depends on the school and how good your child is at hand washing. Had basically no stomach bugs until DD started school, then loads, then Covid happened and obsessive hand cleaning was a thing and now they're creeping back.

I'd check your DS is washing hands well, including when in a hurry, and maybe provide a mini hand gel for before snack time if he's likely to be tempted by a sketchy hand wash to make more time for playing.

Of course I'm no doctor!

My 6 year old last vomited when he was about 4.
Diarrhoea I couldn't tell you because he's got a bowel issue.

Last may then September...a lot of bugs going around at the moment...

Agree. Hand hygiene plays a massive part

Prior to September he was ill just before they broke up for the summer - so July time. Seems to be every couple of months. He has had his first wobbly teeth so his hands have definitely been in his mouth more - I keep telling him to stop! And the hand washing is definitely not as thorough as in covid times….

I think there is a much higher number of sickness bugs around this year. This is the first time back at school with more relaxed Covid precautions, and most children just haven't built up their immunity over the last few years. My children have both been off a few times since September, with a mix of high temps, sickness, diarrhoea and just feeling really, really ill.

thanks for all the responses. I agree with the hand washing, lack of immunity from covid and more bugs around. It’s just hard to be objective when it’s your own child. I’d be interested in knowing of people would be going to the doctor or if it’s an over reaction.

Twice in his life.

At this stage, overreaction imo

Mine is 7. He's been sick once this year, the time before that he was 3.

He does have sloppy poo more often but I suspect this is due to shit hygiene when at school.

I have an eight year old who is similar plus extreme travel sickness. We have recently been given a diagnosis of abdominal migraine which explains some things but not entirely.

Can you think back to previous times and pinpoint anything that he's eaten around that time which isn't in his usual diet or is in larger quantities? (Even something like a large amount of dairy)

If its not sickness bugs which are passing to other family members I'd definitely take him to be seen and question if there's a possible mild allergy to something.
If it's sickness bugs passing around everyone then I'd speak to him about washing his hands and finding a different comfort method to hands in the mouth (maybe a fiddle toy as an alternative)

When he was sick in September my husband also got it. But that’s been the only time.

I don't think it's an over reaction. I'd ring the GP for this.

Loads of sickness bugs around at my school. Poor hand hygiene doesn't help. Remind him to wash hands before eating.

Spoke to the doc who is going to see him for a urine test, finger prick test (?) and to Have a general look at him this afternoon.

I am lucky and my children have rarely ever vomited or had diarrhoea and when they have it's usually been a single instance then they have recovered.

@Dramateacher1 do you mind me asking the outcome of this please? I hope your son is feeling better. My 7 year old daughter has been similar

@jaychops we took him to the doctor who sent him for blood tests. It showed that he may have an allergy to something so we have been referred but as of yet we are still waiting to hear from them, doc said we can’t start to chase until the new year! I hope your daughter is ok.

Hand hygiene is a key part pf preventing tummy bugs. And remember - most hand gels DO NOT protect against stomach bugs (different type virus which is not killed by alcohol hand gels) - so the most important thing is to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water. Something my DD seems to have forgotten how tp do 🤦🏼‍♀️

So we’ve just had another vomiting session last night and today. Will phone the doctors again tomorrow to chase the allergy referral. Not sure how an allergy would make him sick though or cause a temp? I also can’t think of anything unusual he ate yesterday…