Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Diarrhea, Fever And Stomach Ache
Question: My son is 2 yrs old. Symptoms started last Monday so it's a little over a week. He had one watery diarrhea diaper per day from Monday to Wednesday. Last Wednesday he developed a fever. Last Thursday he went to day care and had two diarrhea diapers and one in the evening. During this whole time his appetite decreased but still drinking plenty of fluids. This past Friday he had about 6 diarrhea diapers all watery brown and a fever of 101.8 I took him to the doctor. The doctor thinks he has a stomach virus to watch him over the weekend and call Monday 3/16 if he was not doing any better. On Saturday was his worst day about 10 diarrhea diapers but still drinking plenty of fluids very little appetite. Sunday he had 3 diarrhea diapers and yesterday and today 1 diarrhea diaper each day. He was fine yesterday reason I never called the doctor back. However today different story. Only 1 diarrhea diaper today but very tired not eating but still drinking. Cries and tells me his stomach hurts. His temp today fluctuates between 101 and 102. I am going to take him to dr tomorrow but I need some advice to get me through the evening. Can a stomach virus last this long or do you think it is something else. No vomiting has happened at all. Just diarrhea and stomach pains.
Brief Answer:
Stomach virus could last this long or more.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone carefully through the details provided. Your doctor is thinking in correct lines that the child is likely to have a viral infection. Unless associated with bloody diarrhea, the condition is self limiting and irrespective of the use of antibiotics it can last a week or more. Please be patient. Treatment is supportive and consists of giving ORS or oral rehydration solution to replenish for the lost salts and water lost. You have to give paracetamol and tepid sponging to bring down the temperature. If that does not seem to work, you can give Ibugesic (Ibuprofen) alternatively. Give plenty of curd or yogurt since it contains plenty of beneficial bacteria.
The adequacy of the fluid intake will reflect in the amount of urine passed. If the frequency is normal, there is no dehydration. But if the frequency is reduced, more fluids and ORS needs to be given. If that does not help, visit a doctor without delay.
You can talk to your doctor if he thinks it essential to exclude typhoid as a probable cause of the fever.
Hope that helps.
Regards
Dr. Diptanshu Das
Stomach virus could last this long or more.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone carefully through the details provided. Your doctor is thinking in correct lines that the child is likely to have a viral infection. Unless associated with bloody diarrhea, the condition is self limiting and irrespective of the use of antibiotics it can last a week or more. Please be patient. Treatment is supportive and consists of giving ORS or oral rehydration solution to replenish for the lost salts and water lost. You have to give paracetamol and tepid sponging to bring down the temperature. If that does not seem to work, you can give Ibugesic (Ibuprofen) alternatively. Give plenty of curd or yogurt since it contains plenty of beneficial bacteria.
The adequacy of the fluid intake will reflect in the amount of urine passed. If the frequency is normal, there is no dehydration. But if the frequency is reduced, more fluids and ORS needs to be given. If that does not help, visit a doctor without delay.
You can talk to your doctor if he thinks it essential to exclude typhoid as a probable cause of the fever.
Hope that helps.
Regards
Dr. Diptanshu Das
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
