Roto Virus and we leave in 9 days--update

[pigget74]

my smallest DS (8 mths) has Roto Virus !!!! Heading back to the doctor in a little bit. Please send Pixie Dust our way.

 

[Wickedmom75]

My youngest had roto when he was 18 months and he was miserable for about a week. I had to take him to the ER to get iv fluids , he was much better after that though. He got to the point where he was refusing to drink , the ER doc said to give him water or pedialyte with a medicine syringe it was 5ml every 15 minutes as long as he was holding it down. Don't know what they will say for your 8 month old. Hope he gets better soon.

 

[3mickeys&me]

Pixie dust heading your way!! (((HUGS)))

 

[golfgal]

When our twins had that, same time, wasn't fun, the Dr suggested the DF formula (diarrhea formula formula). It really helped bind things up so it wasn't so runny. I don't know if they still make it (the twins are now 11) but if they do, it is sure worth getting.

 

[Tiger926]

My DD had this last March and was hospitalized while at Disney - severe dehydration and put in isolation as Rotavirus is VERY contagious! Please see your doc, wash hands a million times per day, and if your child is still sick, please don't travel to WDW as this virus hits very badly in WDW - the pediatricians who took care of our DD (she had 3) had quite a bit to say about this - severe and I mean severe diarrhea which seriously dehydrates the body, so you must really watch your child. My daughter was so sick!

Good luck, and again, if your child is still sick (must do a stool or blood test to confirm as you already know), please do not travel to WDW as you may make people on plane sick as well as people in parks, not to mention that if it's serious like my daughter's was, it may take weeks before your child is strong and healthy again.

Tiger

 

[KimberlyC]

My DS had this at 10 months (April 2005) and it was awful. It took about a week for recovery. Sending pixxie dust your way. Also, your DC should be over it in time for your trip, but it ran through our entire family - everyone in contact with him. From him it went to me, then DH, then grandma, then grandpa, then auntie. It was the domino effect and in total it took us a combined few weeks to all get over it. I don't say this to concern you more but to warn you. Please do what you can to avoid getting it yourselves but it is very contagious as have been previously indicated.

 

[annie1995]

Pixie Dust headed your way! My son had that around the same age, and was so sick. We had him in the hospital twice for IV fluids. It took about a week for him to get better. Wash your hands and sterilize everything. Hope all goes well!

 

[disneyfan6301]

DS had roto at 8 months, too. Horrible is not the word. Luckily, we got him to Children's emergency room on the night of the first day he had it (when he threw up for the fifth time and the pedialite came up, we knew it was time). The doc said he was close to being a potato chip. Iv fluids really helped. It only took him about 3 days after that to feel better. Neither my DH nor I caught it. Wash your hands everytime you come into contact with your baby--I know this sounds horrible, but being well for Disney is worth it. Lots of pixie dust for a speedy recovery and no transfers to others in family!!

 

[tatooed goofy]

Yikes. Never had it in our family....DEFINATELY SENDING PIXIE DUST YOUR WAY! Looks scary.

 

[MOMOFMNM]

OHHHH that stinks!!!
for sure!!!!

prayers for your little one!!

thats icky!!

hopefully all will be well for the trip!!

9 days is still a ways away!!

but it is dangerous and not to be taken lightly!!


as you know


hope the baby gets better

 

[las3888]

We had it a few mos ago when DS was about 13 mos. DH, myself and DS all got it. DS was sick for a total of like 9-10 days. The worst was probably the first week--it wasn't really the diarrhea they speak of, but he would have a good day or two and then he would vomit all over again. It was really bad. I took him to the Dr. twice that week but he didn't need fluids. He didn't drink as much as we would like (hated pedialyte) but we kept trying and he did okay.

DH had it for like 3-4 days and I had it for 1-2. We all caught it within a few days of him coming down with it. Hopefully that will be your case and you will all be just about good to go by Disney time.

I cut out an article in a parenting magazine that talks about catchiness for colds etc. They said that stomach viruses (supposedly) not contagious once vomiting stops.

Good luck and lots of pixie dust!!!

 

[Merriwind]

Pixie dust headed your way!!!

Glad you are on top of this--it can be so serious. DD8 caught Rotavirus at WDW in March 2001, when she was three. She was hospitalized for 5 days--lost 15% of her body weight. It was a dreadful, dreadful case and it was weeks before she was back to normal. Not to frighten you, but just be aware and don't hesitate to go to the Dr. (or ER at night) if he takes a bad turn.

It can be much more mild. My vet's little boy (not quite 1) had it last week and was feeling much better, although still had the runs, in about three days.

No one else ever caught it from DD--be vigilant about handwashing. You can't wash them enough. If they're not completely chapped, go wash them again!!

Hoping for a mild case and a speedy recovery!

 

[Tiger926]

Like others have said, the only way to catch this is by fecal/hand transmission, so wash, wash and continue to wash!! My hubby and I didn't catch it at all, and it was days before we knew she had it because the Centra Care Clinic didn't do the right tests (will never go back there again!). Doc's were very proud of our hygiene habits as they said lots of parents and siblings pick it up because people just aren't careful enough and then they go out to the parks and you can figure out the rest! I also remembered that the doc's in Orlando told us repeatedly that Orlando has severe and long lasting outbreaks of Rotavirus all of the time - but it peaks in Spring, so please be careful that your child doesn't pick it up again - even though 9 days is a long time away, it can take weeks to get over it, so you really need to take it easy if you make it to WDW. At 8 months old, the dehydration issue is most important - my daughter was VERY ill as she also contacted Strep and several other things.

Not trying to scare you, but it needs to be taken seriously as it can turn into a very serious case very quickly.

Tiger

 

[Newcastle]

WOW!!! I always worry that my kids will get sick while at WDW (not enough to avoid going mind you) and knowing that this virus peaks in the spring, I might just think about choosing a different time to travel!! Tiger, how did you manage being away from home when your child was so ill? I can only imagine what a trying experience that must have been.

 

[Tiger926]

Newcastle - Thanks for asking! Being that we are from Canada, and had driven because our daughter hadn't been on a plane yet, we were over 24 hours from home and it was terrifying! I must say too though that the Centra Care Clinic that Disney uses and has the shuttle pick up guests from is the pits! We waited and waited with very sick kids, and not so sick CMs (they use for regular appointments) with a very sick baby (she was only 21 months old). Finally after waiting for hours, he did a quick swab, results came back said it was Strep, gave us our script and we went back to resort (staying at Wilderness Lodge). We totally have experience with this ourselves, so we knew what to do. The resort was amazed that we called for them to totally sterilize our room, and that we weren't going to the parks, as most parents don't do what we did - that is exactly why our DD got sick in the first place!

She had just had a full physical, and no sickness - so based on the gestation period, they knew she caught it there and she ended up in hospital a few days later with: Rotavirus, Strep, Severe dehydration, Gastroeneritis and severe acidosis! We are the most vigilant parents you will meet - she isn't allowed to touch toys, handles, wash hands constantly, etc. as her and I catch everything (I have a weak immune system/allergies, etc.), so we know about such things! Unfortunately, we must have missed something that she touched, or she was coughed on, as we went during March Break and they were having a severe (and I mean severe) Strep and Rotavirus outbreak. The emergency room doc at Orlando Regional said if we hadn't come in she would not have woken up, that was how quickly her body went down hill and we had been sitting in our room for days letting her heal up. The combination of the Strep and Rota were too much for her. They rushed us by ambulance to Arnold Palmer Children's Hospital in isolation for 2 days - tons of fluids, meds, etc. The peds were not impressed with the lack of care we received at Centra Care at all as they missed the Rotavirus, which then caused the other stuff. She literally couldn't keep a drop of water down, that's how bad it was, couple that with severe dehydration and it was very scary indeed. The worst part was that family/friends were very far away, but we had our own little suite at the hospital, so we had our own phone, washroom, etc. while she recuperated. The docs decided that she was well enough to drive home, but gave us numbers of hospitals should she need to go in again, and then my parents/best friends would have been on their way by flight to accompany us separately (one drive, one fly) back home. The drive home was the scariest journey we have ever taken. We can't say enough amazing things about Arnold Palmer's Children's hospital - amazing!

Moral of story - please don't bring sick kids to WDW, if you feel the need to (I'm not sure why), please don't bring them to the parks, pools, etc., and call housekeeping to that they can do a complete sterilization of room as well as to alert them that there is an infectious person in the room. As well, please, please, don't go traveling without health insurance. I am a teacher with platinum insurance, so every last drop of our $4200.00 USD bill was covered - I didn't have to hand over a dime at all! Last thing we learned, too many viruses in WDW in March, so we won't be going for a long while if ever again in March. Parents just aren't vigilant and many don't care about making others sick, and so we can't take another chance with our daughter by going in March.

I do hope the OP's child is feeling better. All children are different, but I constantly read on these boards how Strep isn't a big deal, or Rota isn't a big deal, and they are. The peds (and we had top notch docs) have quite a bit to say about WDW and the germ factory that it is, most especially since parents just don't understand that children's health is more important than losing a few bucks on a vacation.

Healing hugs to your child, Tiger

 

[minkydog]

Here's a hug for you. We just got over 7 days of diarrhea(including bloody diarrhea) with Christian. We're waiting for the results of the stool studies now, but he also had a double ear infection and a sinus infection. It's been pretty miserable. Today he is back to school for the first time in a week.

I hope your little guy recovers quickly and you don't have any drama along the way.

 

[pigget74]

Joshua is about the same. This all started Friday, but becuase of his reflux problem we did not realize it was a tummy virus. On Monday the diarrhea set it in and we knew he was sick. (He never cires--even when he had an ear infections, strep, and a sinus infection all at the same time. He is always a happy little boy) Tuesday morning the fever set in and we were off to the doctor. This is a kid that never cries and he has been off and on crying since Monday night--at times for hours. I thought they were going to send us on to the hospital, but he just told us to force liquid down his throat about 5 ml every 30 min. Wasn't to concerned with the lack of wet diapers. Did the liquid and he perked up for about 30 min. Wed. was a good day until about 5pm fever was 102. Back to the doctor yesterday (actually got to see our doctor) he did not like the way his tummy sounded and the odd pattern of fever. So we now have a culture to take to the lab this morning. My oder son had roto about 5 years ago and there is a distinct smell that you never forget. That smell is what we have now. We have not been told roto yet, but based on his pattern and smell I am pretty sure it is. Hopefully he will be better by Saturday when we start our drive. Please be assured I would never do anyting to put a child in harm. If not better the 2 of us will hang out in the resort--OKW while DH, DD, DS and our friends go to the parks. We are going with three other families.

This morning little fever and a horrible diaper. Will update later.

 

[3mickeys&me]

Keeping you guys in our prayers that he gets well again soon!!
Poor little guy. My boys have never had roto before, but have had strep and other things.

We have been to Disney Many times even during March and have Never gotten sick, who knows maybe we were just lucky. I do get on my boys about washing their hands well and have wipes and Antibacterial lotion with us at all times. Guess its just the luck of the draw.
Sending you some Pixie dust for your little man

 

[KimberlyC]

Washing hands constantly is great. Unfortunately that didn't stop DS to passing it to us and I washed my hands until they were literally, chapped, red and burning. Crazy as it sounds I know exactly where my DS must have caught this bug. The only place he was at for a week before was daycare (no other kid got it) and the mall to visit the Easter Bunny on Good Friday. As you might guess he, being a little guy just learning to walk was holding on to the railings to stand. Because he was teething he put (and still does put) his hands in his mouth. It was that easy for him to get this terrible illness. The only bright side was that because he got it during a holiday he didn't go back to daycare before we discovered he was ill and we were able to keep him home and away from the other children. Nevertheless we all got it. It was hard not to with a baby that drools all over everyone and everything constantly.

Reading other stories here I realize how fortunate we were that it was not much worse. Still we've had the flu and other illnesses but this was much worse. I can't imagine if I was far away from home getting sick with this.

To the OP: Good luck and good wishes for a speedy recovery for your DC.

 

[luvmesometigger]

My DS had this last May when he wsa 5 years old and BOY was he sick. I was also 5 months pregnant at the time but I managed to avoid it. I was a hand washing fiend. He was good and sick for about 6 days and lost about 5 pounds which is a lot for him since he is barely 40 pounds soaking wet. Looking back now, he probably should have gotten some IV fluid but I managed to keep Gatorade and other fluids in him.

Sending pixie dust