Suggest Treatment For Acute Bowel Infection In A Child

Posted on Fri, 10 Feb 2017

Question: Hello! I wanted to ask something about the 20 months old girl because during all the day she has had a lot of secretions and has vomited throughout the day. she has a temperature of 37.6. I visited her and the doctor said she hasn't any cold but the secretions cause the vomit. she vomits all the things that eat or drinks. Can you please give me an advice of what analysis should I further do or what can I give to her to stop vomiting. Thank you very much.

Answered by Dr. Albana Sejdini (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Should determine the main cause to increased secretions first...

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,

I am sorry for the health situation your 20 months old girl is going through.

Now, to recapitalize her symptoms:
- lots of secretions
- vomited throughout the days
- temperature 37.6
- visited her doctor: no cold or respiratory infection

At this point, there is a need for an accurate physical examination and more information are required:
- did the symptoms appear just today? or few days ago?
- did you introduce her any new food? drink?
- any exposure to fumes? detergents? cosmetics?
- any new places visited recently?
- did her doctor checked her throat? mouth? (any sign of sores? or infection?)
- is she still teething (increased secretions are also related to teething)

To me, if the symptoms started today only, could be due to teething. However, acid reflux and other diagnosis should also consider and rule out.

When it comes to management, the first thing is to determine the main cause to increased secretions. Treatment if then followed adequately.

Give her only plain water meanwhile. Probiotics and oral rehydration salt solutions are also recommended to replace the lost fluids.

Hope this helps.
Dr.Albana

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

Follow up: Dr. Albana Sejdini (19 hours later)

Thank you for the response. Some of the symtoms apperaed some days before such like the secretions but the temperature and the vomting only yesterday. I was at the hospital since the vomting couldn't stop and I made her a serum. I gave her during the day some probiotic and and some medicine to stop vomiting but nothing changed and she continues to be sick. Still vomiting after she drinks something or eat something. I am thinking to go again and make her another serum.

Answered by Dr. Albana Sejdini (54 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Acute bowel infection;send back for serum;discuss hospitalization there...

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,

Thank you for providing additional information.

Yes, I agree, you should send her back to ER and administer another serum intravenously. Anti-vomit medication can also applied to stop vomit. Discuss with the pediatrician there if you need to hospitalize her for a few days until amelioration.

Next, do not force her to drink or eat. Plain water is fine. Can mix with oral rehydration salts (ORS).

From what you are saying, she is having a bowel infection, most probably viral.
Continue giving her probiotics, plain yogurt if she likes; plenty of water and be in close contact with her pediatrician.

Wish fast recovery.
Dr.Albana

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