Stomach bug w/o vomitting?

[BuzzandAriel'smom]

On Sunday evening my ds5 had a loose bm but I didn't think anything about it because we ate fast food that day and that happens sometimes. Then after a full day of school he comes home with messy underpants. I asked him if he had diarrhea at school and he said no, he just had some crampy feeling while at morning recess and was too embarassed to tell what happened so he sat all day with messy undies... Yuk! Needless to say he had a chapped heinie. He had another "leaking" episode after I cleaned him up. Then full on diarrhea episode before bed.

I kept him home today because i don't want him going through that again at school. My question is, could this be stomach flu? It is really going around at school but it is presenting with vomitting or dry heaves. Ds feels fine, he just a
had another round but didn't cry or have a mess to deal with. Should I be watching my dd8 for tummy troubles? Have you ever seen stomach bugs without vomitting?

Tia!

 

[mischief32]

Yes, I would say this is a stomach bug. My 3y old had the same thin in December. My husband got it around christmas but he bad both and it wsa ugly. He should feel better in about 24 to 48 hrs.

 

[**eeyore**]

Stomach viruses can present themselves in all sorts of ways. Sometimes just vomiting, sometimes just diarrhea & sometimes both. They can last a few hours or days. It probably is some sort of stomach bug (maybe what's going around at school, maybe not), or it could be something he ate (but often with food-borne illnesses, there would be severe stomach cramping).

Since it doesn't appear to be an isolated incident, I would follow the 24-hour rule. Keep him home until he doesn't present any symptoms for 24 hours (stools back to normal for 24 hours).

Keep him hydrated (avoid sugary juices/drinks) and if he is having trouble tolerating his normal diet, try the BRAT diet (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce & Toast) until he's feeling better.

 

[crysplefty]

You may also want to bring a stool sample to his pediatrician to be tested. My son had this last year and it turned out to be shigellosis (aka shigella), which is very contagious. If he has this his pediatrician has to notify the CDC and he will not be able to go back to school until he tests negative for it. Ironically, we have no idea where our son caught it from, since he didn't attend school or daycare. A few adult coworkers of mine had it too around the same time my son had it.

 

[kimmylaj]

yes this could certainly be a tummy bug, dd3 just had the same exact thing for a week. everytime i thought it was gone, she would get it back about 12 hours later. good luck hope it is faster for your lil one

 

[LisaNJ25]

awee I hope he feels better soon.

I am siting here with my 5yo who has it also. She is also vomiting. It is going to be a loongg night. My 10yo had it Saturday, my 4yo last night and now the 5yo. Wonder when it will hit me

All seem to last 24 hours, starts with nasty stomach pains, diarrhea and than vomiting.

 

[WantToGoNow]

My ds8 started out a week and a half ago with diarrhea. That lasted for a couple of days and then he started complaining of his stomach hurting. I took him and dd6 to the doctor (she was running a high fever and coughing). They both had strep. Later that day ds8 started vomitting and couldn't keep anything down - even a drink of water or the antibiotic. He even threw-up anti-nausea medicine. After 2 fulls days of vomitting, he was fine. Dd6 went back to the doctor last night (9 days later) and her strep is still not gone.

 

[Zookeeperof4]

I just called my DH at work and said I think I may have it. I have been in the bathroom all morning. I am gonna get the kids done school(we homeschool) so I can relax. Wish we had some ginger ale though.....I guess I will have to settle for tea and toast.

 

[Dee77]

My DD (3) has had a stomach bug for the last 4 days. She is in a great mood, no fever or throwing up, her only symptom is diarrhea. We thought it was all done when DD reached into the fridge and got a cheese stick out and ate it. So now we will wait another 24 hours with no dairy and hope her symptoms stay away...

 

[BuzzandAriel'smom]

My dd8 had a very loose stool this morning so we kept her home too. Ds hasn't had anymore diarrhea since yesterday evening so I'm hoping he's about done. Pushing the fluids and brat stuff and giving them probiotics.

Thanks for your opinions, I know it's a stomach bug now, since dd has it too.