Flu

YES you should take him in! Little ones dehydrate much faster than adults, and it sounds like all there is is stuff coming out instead of going in, so he is probably already dehydrated. Take him to the Dr. and see if he has to go to the hospital for fluids. If you haven't gone already, don't wait any longer. Dehydration can be dangerous for a little one, and after a certain point it is hard for them to replenish their fluids by simply stopping throwing up. P.S. not the swine flu, it ALWAYS has upper respiratory symptoms, and although it may be accompanied by diarrhea and vomiting, it is not a main symptom.

no dairy products at all, clear liquids only, stick to the BRAT diet. Banana's, rice, apple sauce, toast. If throwing up only clear liquids until that stops. once throwing up stops start BRAT Diet. you will gradually see an improvement in stools. It may hang on for a few days once you start the Brat diet but should start to see improvement after 2 or 3 days on that. But stay away from all dairy products & no fruit juices. Try gater aid or vitamin water.

I'd say with the swine flu going around(even tho, its probably NOT that), you should ABSOULTLY take him in. You never know who / what he might have came in contact with. Come to think of it, My daughter didn't throw up for the 1st time untill she was 3. Deffinatly take him in, before he gets dehydrated and has to be hooked up to iv's.

what you are discribing is not actually the flu. The flu is a respritory diease (affects you lungs). You are describing gastric enteritis (commonly called stomach flu but is not related to the influenza virus at all). I wanted to clear this up with all the talk of N1H1 (swine flu) that has been going around.

To answer your question:
Usually you don't need to be concerned with diarrhea unless it goes for more than a week or is bloody or white in color. Not sure about vomiting. Mostly look for signs of dehydration.

Take a quick trip to the doc with everything going around it would not hurt any to just know what it isn't.

When in doubt always take your child in to be save. The flu does not normally last 4 days. Take him in right away.

It's probably just a stomach flu which they can't do much for. I was told when my infant was the same way was to do what you're doing by giving pedialyte and watch for signs of dehydration. (Lack of wet diapers, no tears, sunken soft spot, etc.)
I would call in just to see what the doctor's office thinks. Swine flu is respiratory, though there have been some people experiencing diarrhea/vomitting with it.
I would also avoid milk. Stomach flus can give you a temporary lactose intolerance. The milk could be aggravating his diarrhea.

I would be taking you child in as soon as possible to their regular doctor. I believe you may have to worry about dehydration at this point.

It sounds like the stomach virus that my daughter and I had in December and then again in March along with my husband and mother-in-law. If it is the same thing it should last about 5-7 days. The main thing to worry about is dehydration. Watch for signs of that and continue encouraging him to drink lots of fluids--whatever you can get him to drink.

With the new flu virus that is going around it probably wouldn't hurt to take him in to see the doctor though. I don't think any of the symptoms he has are the same as the symptoms for the new flu, but I would rather be safe than sorry.

Haven't read the responses -- So I apologize if this is a repeat. You do not mention any typical flu symptoms. They include fever over 100, sore throat, cough, aches, chills.

You do however mention digestive symptoms like diarrhea and vomitting. This doesn't sound like the flu -- There is no such thing as a "stomach flu". Sounds like an intestinal virus. Something in the family of rota or nota or adno-virus.

That said, you should take your child in for these conditions when they are no longer able to drink fluids. One good trick is to add a little lacto-baccilius to their milk or yogurt (kids with tummy bugs often crave yogurt cuz it's self-medicating). They do not really need to eat solids but they must be getting liquids. Signs like lethargy, no tears when crying, sunken eyes, dry diapers, dark yellow pee, a feeling of loose skin...These are signs of dangerous dehydration,

I take my kids in after 3 days of no improvment if the throwing up doesn't stop,messy dipears or if fever is not getting lower, if they seem to be getting better but still a little sick I don't bother , there is not much dr can do with it.....but with this swine flu thing maybe it would be better to take him in just to make sure

Hi K.,

So sorry your little one is so sick. Just wanted to let you know that the intake of water with the stomach flu causes vomiting, don't know why, but it definitely does. For some reason water hits the stomach like a rock when you have the stomach flu, and right back up it comes.

AND...I'm pretty sure the swine flu is upper respiratory flu, not stomach flu. I always associated flu with the stomach, too, until I was told that the flu shots we get are not for stomach flu, but for upper respiratory flu. Learn something new every day.

Hope your little guy gets to feeling better very soon!

C.

Hi K.!

sorry to hear of your little one being sick. First off, please take him off all dairy products, give him nothing but sips of water and a little white soda. When he can keep things down for more than a half an hour increase it to a little more than an ounce. Don't give too much, or he will just keep throwing it up. then if he can keep things down or no loose stools, he can start on a few crakers or dry toast. I really would recommend that you take him to the Dr. to check out any bacterial or other types of illness. Babies that small can dehydrate very quickly, then you have another set of issues on your hands.
When my children were sick I took them off all milk and dairy for up to a several days even after they were better. Don't worry about the milk thing, what is most important is water!
Good luck to you!

Tracey Mother of 4

www.mymangosteen.com/fruitsolution

What a terrible time your little guy must be having! I would probably take him in at this point, maybe just to have him checked, but as long as he's not running a high fever or seeming dedydrated (you said lots of wet diapers still), I wouldn't worry much.

Just a thought about the vomiting: Every time I call our doctor about vomiting (which I probaby do every time one of my kids throws up; I get a little nervous), they tell us no solid foods for about 24 hours after they vomit. Stick with water (or Pedialyte if he's keeping it down), maybe diluted juice, and breastmilk or formula. I would stay away from cow's milk too, if he's drinking it yet, just because on a very upset stomach, it can be irritating. Just try to keep him hydrated a little bit at a time. If he drinks and then vomits, then start giving him small amounts (like an ounce) at a time, wait an hour or so, then another ounce. It may help him to keep things down if there's not much for his little tummy to deal with at a time.

Oh, and for diaper rash, I like Desitin Creamy, which worked wonders for a terrible rash overnight on my middle one. I also like Butt Paste, since Desitin usually irritates my kids' skin and Butt Paste is extremely gentle.

Hope he's feeling better soon!

Hi K.

Sounds like your little one has a stomach virus rather than influenza...unfortunately a doctor isn't able to do much for a virus. Sounds like you are doing the right things by keeping him hydrated. The rash must be horrible--there is a desitin (the old fashioned stuff rather than the cream) that actually coats the butt and really keeps moisture and mess away. If he keeps vomiting I'd take him to your doc--an anti-nausea medication or bracelet could really help at this point! Good luck and hang in there!

I agree with the other mommy suggestions for the most part. I would take him in, especially due to swine flu. More than likely he is fine but you can never be too safe!

Keep everyone else as far away as possible!

That sounds like my olest child - I would have him tested for the Rotavirus -- it is a nasty stomach flu. My child was in the hospital for two days due to dehydration. I hope he gets it out of his system soon. good luck - Call your doctor for his or her opinion.

Hi K.,
Sounds like you are doing a great job....but maybe take him in for your peace of mind. That is what I guess I always do w/ my daughter, especially since the weekend is coming up. You don't want it to get any worse.

About the diaper rash - use burnt flour. Just put some flour in a pan on the stove until it gets good and brown. Let it cool and put it in your son's diaper - sounds very weird I know - but works great!! It draws the moisture in and away from baby's butt.

Hi K.! I just had to respond. I hope your little guy is feeling better! Alot of people have mentioned the swine flu but they are misinformed. It is a upper respiratory thing so please don't be afraid!
Absolutely call the Dr! Just for your peace of mind :) He doesn't sound dehydrated, which would be the major concern in this case. Most likely he will be fine but calling the Dr. never hurts.
Again! it's NOT the swine flu! :)

I would definitely call your doctor immediately especially with all of this swine flu stuff going around. I hope your son feels better soon! Poor little guy!!

A.

Hi K.,

I would call your doctor for advice. There is a swine flu going around that can be fatal for young children and the elderly. Your doctor may want to check everything out to make sure that your child is not dehydrated and is recovering nicely although I think it's too late for the antiviral medicines they came out for this. I hope this helps!

Angie

Not to scare you, but you need to take him in. There are too many risks right now, especially with the swine flu going around. Sometimes they make them ride it out, but sometimes it gets worse and they will give antibiotics.

Call the doctor's office and speak to a nurse. They will tell you if you should bring him in or not. Do it today, before the weekend is here.

There is no harm in calling your doc for an opinion. Most times when I have taken my ill child they told me to watch to see if your child is not making diapers. That means dehydration. If you feel something just isn't right go with your instinct!

Children's Hospital does not recognize vomiting and diarrhea as symptoms of swine flu and will not test for it. Swine Flu is characterized by fever, body aches, cough, sore throat etc. Your child must meet specific criteria before they will even test for it.
That said, we are full swing into Gastro (stomach bug) season which is characterized by vomiting and/or diarrhea. Hold off on milk and solids until he stops vomiting. You can give lactobacillis or yogurt with live cultures to help replace the good bacteria in the digestive system once he has stopped vomiting.

Keep giving him the pedialyte to keep him hydrated and keep his electrolytes in balance. This will hopefully keep him out of the ER. I just finished a working a very busy night in the ER - we saw several children with Gastro issues, only one warranted an overnight stay in the hospital and only a couple of others needed IV fluids. Watch for sunken eyes, dry skin and lethargy or confusion as signs of dehydration.

Wow, Kathy had some strong words for you. Please don't let her judgement get you down! There is nothing wrong with asking, dont' let her issues affect you. *HUG*

With that being said, I would take him into today to make sure he's not getting dehydrated. Kids get dehydrated so fast. There is a stomach flu going around and it sounds like you are doing everything right. Stop giving him milk though- it actually irritates the tummy. It might be a week before his tummy can handle it again. Keep up the Pedialyte, gatorade, even soda if he wants it. When my child had the flu, the doc said go with what he wants. If he wants to eat cake and drink soda, let him. As long as he's taking something in, don't worry about the nutritional value. At this point, you want to get him eating and drinking again. Good luck to you!

I am copying an answert I gave a couple weeks ago. my daughter just turned 2 and got the stomach flu for the first time about 2 months ago. it was very scary, because normally she is still active when she is sick, but this time just laid around and didn't have interest in eating etc. the most important thing the nurses told me is to keep the fluid levels up, you can go much longer without eating than you can drinking. my daughter hated pedialyte and gatorade. but i forgot about things like jello and popsicles. she loved being able to eat her fill of those. once he does start eating again, keep the diet really bland for several days. We tried to rush it & it made her stomach upset for longer. if the vomiting will not stop after 2-3 days, see your doctor for some anti-vomiting medicine. it made my daughter really sleepy, but at least she could eat and get some strength back. don't worry. it will pass. Some things to watch out for are true lethargy, which means they dont have the strength to even follow you with their eyes, their stomach also gets spongy and their mouth gets dry. This would be very dangerous and you would want to go to the Emergency room tight away. If you can put your finger in his mouth and it's wet to the touch, it's still ok, his body is still producing some fluids... just keep a close eye on baby! love to you :)

K.,

If this is plain old flu, no they really can't do much. You will go into the office and they will say, "Yup, he has the flu. Keep doing what you are doing and he will be better in a few days to a week." And when you bring him in the office, you are exposing him to all kinds of other illnesses from the kids who have been there.

Keep him hydrated and as comfortable as you can. Feed him things that will firm up his stool - bananas, rice, toast, crackers, etc. Go easy on the laxative foods like grapes and apple juice.

If he shows signs of dehydration, a really high fever, or other serious symptoms, call your nurse hotline or take him in. We are coming up on the weekend, so if you feel he needs to be seen, you should probably do it today.

Good luck,
S.

Hi K.,
You really should take him into the doctor, especially with what is going on now with the H1N1 Flu.

You need to be very careful about dehydration as it can go downhill very quickly.

K.

I agree that you should take him in with the swine flu scare going around. It would also be a good check to make sure he isn't getting dehydrated. With my granddaughter when she had the flu last year at around the same age, we were told to give the BRATS diet, Bananas, rice, apples and toast. They probably can't do anything now if it is the flu, even the swine flu but they can watch him closely for the dangerous side effects of them.

STOP GIVING HIM MILK!!! Dairy is very hard on the tummy. I would take him in just in case it is something more than just the "Flu".