[susy...patience]

DD has been very ill today with diarrhea (worst I've ever seen with her). We had 5 blowouts in 5 hours this morning......one happened when she didn't even have diaper on because I was letting her "air" out. Very, very watery....once went all the way out her diaper & down her pants.

I called nurse line at pediatrican's office and they said stomach flu is going around (some vomiting at beginning with most kids...DD vomited a little this morning). I think they said to just stick with what I'm doing (started BRAT diet at lunch but she had little breakfast before I figured out the issue & Pedialyte) unless it took more than 8 days to get better. I then passed out for nap with DD & I'm not sure I heard correctly.

Could it be that it's okay to let almost 2 year old have that kind of diarrhea for 8.....(and they will be 8 long......long) days? Wouldn't there be some medicine long before that?

Looking for some advice on how long you more experienced moms have seen stomach flu last....might also call my dr tonight to get 2nd opinion.

[becky]

Unfortunately...I think that's right. Unless you start to see signs of dehydration it can last up to a week. Hopefully it will be much much shorter than that!!

[avoel]

Sorry...I feel for you, your little one and your washing machine!!!

I am a pediatrician. Medicine for diarrhea caused by viruses is not recommended. The diarrhea and vomiting is the body's way of expelling the virus and interfering with that simply prolongs the illness...and in some cases can cause bad complications by keeping the intestines from moving properly.

Diarrhea from viruses in little ones, especially what we are seeing this time of year...rotavirus, can last 10 days easily. The first few days are the worst, but it can take 10 days for normal stools to return. The best 'medicine' is good nutrition so feed your child the best you can through out the illness. Avoid cows milk products other than yogurt because the lactose is very hard to digest when these viruses are present, but if you are not opposed to soy, soy milk or formula is fine, yogurt, encourage oatmeal, pasta, fruits/veggies, chicken etc.
Maintain hydration with pedialyte, white grape juice or gatorade.

Seek medical attention if your child is not having at least 2-3 wet diapers in 24 hours, is very lethargic or fussy, is refusing to eat or drink or has abdominal pain.

Hope your little one is feeling better very soon!!!

[mevertin]

I feel your pain! We are on day 7 for our 20 month old and it finally is getting better. Only 4 poops so far today!* I have never seen diarrhea this bad in any of my 5 kids. Not to be gross, but it was totally watery-like foam. (Sorry) Completely soaked through his clothes. He had vomiting and diarrhea on the first day, a high fever for 2 days, about 15 dirty diapers a day for days 2 and 3, about 8 diapers on day 4 then the vomiting started again along with the diarrhea. His little bottom has been raw. He has lived on Pedialyte for a week.* The only solid food has been applesauce with his Isonaizid mixed in. My sister-in-law is a nurse and she said as long as he was drinking the Pedialyte he will be okay. I called our clinic and got the same response that the stomach bug is going around. This morning he was starving-just begging for food and much more active and like his old self. I think he is on the mend. Just hoping the other kids don't get it. I hope your little one feels better soon.
Mary
mom to Bobby 11, Bridget 10, Angela 8, Eddie 4 (home from Guatemala in 2005) and Naldo 20 months (home since Feb. 08)

[ana-mom]

Ana had this virus over Christmas - only she was throwing up with it also. The diarrhea last exactly 1 week after the throwing up stopped and that lasted 3 days. Ana was so uncomfortable. Thank goodness she is so good natured when she is sick.

Just push the fluids and stay with the BRAT diet (you can also give her crackers and pretzels).

Hope DD is feeling better soon.

[susy...patience]

Oh heaven help me!! I appreciate the advice....I am now going to bed to get some sleep & praying for a miracle cure (like 48-72 hour stomach flu vs. 7-8 days).

If she's sick that long it will be worse than anything since she's come home....and unfortunately, I am single mom without great support system (my dear friend who helped moved away) & it's very busy time at work but I can't take her to day care when she's this sick.

As I said, heaven help me....

[hol332]

Bless your heart. We went through this with our DD for the first time last April. I think it is rotavirus. It lasted 9 days for us: vomiting the first day and watery/foamy diarrhea the rest of the time. I thought FOR SURE my washing machine would break down because I had to use it 4-5 times a day.

Dairy products will make it worse so definitely ban milk until the week has passed. Also, here is BIG WARNING: wash your hands religiously and avoid getting your hands near your mouth. I sometimes bite my nails in times of stress. Three days into the diarrhea, I got sick. Then, my mom (also a nail biter) came down to take care of us and she got sick!! It was horrible!!!! So be very, very careful or both of you will be stuck in the bathroom. Good luck!!!

[JustBarbara]

Egads - poor everyone here - it sounds pretty awful. A couple of kids at DS's daycare were hit and they had notices up on the front door and at each classroom asking parents to wash their hands and their little ones hands as soon as they had taken off hats, coats, boots BEFORE joining the rest of their classmates. Most parents complied thankfully - and we are "Purellers" in my family - after every party/event/trip to the store we rub, rub, rub the lotion in and I believe it has helped.

[kerriv]

Ruby just got over it - today's her first day back at daycare. It lasted five days. The week or so wait before doing anything is very typical. Just watch for dehydration.

[mayaprincess]

Our family got it and it lasted almost a week.

[kirbystarcat]

Susy, I am so sorry.
DS just got over this and his lasted 7 days. I was really worried given his age and that he is already very underweight, but his doctor told me the same thing basically that as long as he is staying hydrated we just needed to ride it out.