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What Causes Low Appetite During Viral Illness?

Posted on Wed, 13 Aug 2014

Question: My son, aged 20 months suffered from viral fever twice in a single month. We had given him Combiflam suspension during fever. But he is not taking enough food now and often cries during feeding time. He is on regular diet and NAN 3. His activity is all right and playing all the time normally. My paediatrician had prescribed Neogadine Mikros 5ml twice daily and Gutclear 10 ml twice daily after food. Pls suggest what to do?

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (48 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
looks like viral illness

Detailed Answer:
Hi...Thank you for consulting in Health Care magic.

Usually kids feed less during viral illness and the recovery period. Do not force feed as it will culminate in vomiting becoming a habit. If the kid's weight is appropriate and activity is normal, do not worry about quantity of food consumed. Usually rather than fever, what is more important is the activity of the child, in between 2 fever episodes on the same day. If the kid is active and playing around when there is no fever, it is probably viral illness and it doesn't require antibiotics at all. Once viral fever comes it will there for 4-7 days. So do not worry about duration if the kid is active.

Hope my answer was helpful for you. I am happy to help any time. Further clarifications and consultations on Health care magic are welcome. If you do not have any clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer. Wish your kid good health.
Dr. Sumanth MBBS., DCH., DNB (Paed).,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari

Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (6 hours later)

His activity is normal and he is playing with his daily usual toys. He recuperated from viral illness 10 days back but now he is not taking enough food and I think he developed a phobia towards food. He is 20 months old and his weight reduces from 11.80 kgs to 11.29 kgs in one month. Is his weight normal?? He is taking Neogadine Mikros syrup 5 ml twice daily after food and Gutclear syrup twice daily from today as he suffers from constipation also. Is the medication allright or do they have any sideeffect?? he has history of severe cold & coughs in the past and his Serum IgE levels was more, around 92. Pls suggest.

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
This is normal for kids of this age

Detailed Answer:
Hi. Thanks for your trust in me.

Coming to your queries -
1. 20 months kid with 11.29 kg is perfect, do not worry.
2. Neogadine Mikros is a multivitamin supplement, you can give it.
3. Gutclear is a medicine to soften the stools and make passing stools less painful. Many side effects are mentioned in literature like - Confusion, low potassium, Headache, Rash, Rectal irritation. But remember that all these may not occur at all in your kid. But if there is severe diarrhea or watery loose stools stop it.
4. IgE is high in your kid and it suggests that he is prone to allergy, that's all. You need not worry about it. It is not dangerously high.

I wish your kid a speedy recovery. If you need any future medical consultation and suggestions, I will be glad to help. You can approach me at the following link. Please find the link below.
www.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-sumanth-amperayani/67696

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. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju