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Suggest Remedies For Persistent Vomiting In A Child

Posted on Mon, 4 Jul 2016

Question: My 10 year old daughter had a vomiting bug and was vomting on Thursday and Friday last week. She wasn't sick on Saturday, Sunday and hasn't been sick today (Monday). She keeps saying that she has a tummy ache after eating, but then it goes away. She ate pretty much normally today, but is stilla little more tired than usual. She does get over anxious and didn't want to spend the weekend with her dad after being unwell. I'm not sure if her tummy ache is genuine, or because she is worried about going back to school. I did offer her popcorn this evening and she didn't want it, which is unlike her. She did eat her dinner though. What could the stomach ache be caused by?

Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Simple viral gastroenteritis.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for trusting us with your health concern.
As you rightly surmised, she had a 'bug ' or a virus.
It is viral gastroenteritis.
It is caused by an infection ( food or water borne ) of the gut.
It is characterized by vomiting, sometimes runs ( loose motions ) , persistent or intermittent tummy ache etc.
She is on the way to being alright since she has not been sick since the past 2 - 3 days.
So she is taking a turn for the better.
A stomach ache, and a mild aversion to certain foods, and listlessness - these are normal for upto a week after an infection .
So please do not worry.
That is normal.
You can help by offering her simple, bland, hot, home made food.
Give her lots of fluids ( not processed, simple liquids like water, broth, lemonade etc ).
Let her rest more than what is the usual amount for her.
She should be herself in a couple of days more.
Make sure she does not eat or drink outside during this time, and does not consume cold meats, salads, raw or uncooked food.
All the best.
Please feel free to discuss further.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina

Follow up: Dr. Aarti Abraham (17 hours later)

Thank you. She is eating much better and her tummy ache has gone. She did have a loose stool this morning and I noticed that her stool was a bit pale this evening. Do you think this is due to the tummy bug as well? She is fine in herself and says that her tummy doesn't hurt anymore and she feels fine.

Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
As below

Detailed Answer:
Yes, it fits in with the picture of viral gastroenteritis.
she should be better in a couple of days as I told you.
Loose stools are part of the clinical picture , and that should go away too.
Yes, the stool maybe a bit pale.
If you stick to simple , hot home food and lots of water, she will be okay in a day or two at the most.
Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Aarti Abraham (30 hours later)

Thank you. She seems much better now, but I now have diarrhoea. I have also felt very sick and have had a stomach ache. The stomach ache has gone today and I don't feel sick but I have had diarrhoea for the last 2 days. Last year I had a lot of gastro problems and had a colonoscopy and MRI Scan. They were both clear. I was finally diagnosed with IBS and small intestine bacterial overgrowth. I had a course of antibiotics and was much better. Do you think I have caught the stomach bug from my daughter or do you think it has somehow set off my IBS again. My IBS has never caused me to have constant diarrhoea in the past, this is different and I have never felt sick with IBS.

Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
More likely that you have caught the bug.

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
I think it is more likely that you have caught the stomach bug from your daughter.
It is infectious after all.
Practise meticulous handwashing and disinfection in the house.
Stick to the same rules for yourself - no food or water from outside, light , hot meals and lots of rest and fluids.
You would be better in a day or two.
You and your daughter can both take Lactobacillus spores orally ( enterogermina ampoules ) to hasten the recovery process.
Take care, and keep me posted.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar

Follow up: Dr. Aarti Abraham (3 days later)

Thank you. I am better, but still have a few stomach cramps and feel a bit bloated. It feels like my IBS has returned. Can a stomach bug set things off again?

Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
As below

Detailed Answer:
Yes, a stomach bug may precipitate a relapse of IBS.
Give yourself a week more, and if the symptoms persist, I would recommend consulting your Gastroenterologist again.
Take care.

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad