Ugh - 5 Day Stomach Virus?

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Poor DD12 has been so sick with this weird stomach virus. She will throw up a few times then be fine for about 12 to 18 hours then start again. She is able to keep fluids down during the times when she isn't throwing up and even eat a little bit of soup, crackers or something bland. I have spoken with the Pediatrician twice on the phone and they have told us we can bring her in if we want to but that it sounds like a stomach virus that will run its course and as long as she stays hydrated that there isn't much else to do but wait it out. The Ped has us giving her Zantac twice a day to try to reduce the stomach acid but so far that hasn't made a difference.

She seems in fine spirits other than when she is getting sick and she isn't running a fever. She does feel nauseated most of the time but it varies in intensity.

Poor thing has been out of school all week and spent her 12th birthday sick in bed. She has missed both her dance and theater classes this week too.

Is there some weird tummy virus going around that lasts this long? I have never had a virus go this long. Usually the stomach bugs are 24 to 48 hour things - not 96 hours or more!

She did a 24 hour stretch without getting sick and we thought she was on the upswing then started getting sick again. I'm taking her in tomorrow to see if they want to run any tests.

Anyone else have kids going through this?

 

[bgirl29]

My dd friend has been out of school for a week now with this. I just talked to her mom awhile ago and she thinks she will miss school again tomorrow. She too has been ok at times but then gets sick again. She also has a headache. She was at the dr yesterday and told it was a virus.

 

[happydisneyfamily]

A couple of years ago my son had the same thing and the only thing they could do was let it run it's course. He could only have clear soups, toast, rice, and some stuff with electrolytes like Gatorade and other bland items. The main thing is your child stays hydrated. Hope she gets better soon.

 

[Leajess99]

My daughter was having stomach pains and feeling nauseous for about a week. the ped gave her medicine for her stomach pain but said it has to run its course. Come to find out a friend on my youngest daughter's soccer team has a sister with the same thing. There is a lot of crud going around

 

[GrtWtNorth]

Went through something similar with DD2 last week -- a couple instances of vomit, but several days of loose bowels. I called our health line on day 5 (after I noticed she dropped from 30 to 25 pounds), but they told me she didn't need medical attention as long as she was still drinking water and trying to eat solid food. (The nurse also relayed a few obvious "go to a doctor now" reminders -- like blood in vomit or stool, high fever, lethargic, etc.) To be completely honest, the hardest part for me was doing several loads of very dirty laundry every day. Now DD is feeling great, regained her appetite and weight. Too bad, it's my turn to go through the same symptoms.

 

[Michelle and crew]

One of my sons gets hit the hardest with bugs when they hit. I have to keep him on clear liquids for a couple of days and then gently add the safe stuff. No milk for a week. I hope that she feels better soon. It is so hard to see your baby hurting.

 

[shinysparklybubbles]

My whole family was sick last year and they said it could last TWO WEEKS! And it did take us that long to get back to normal.

 

[mjkacmom]

We had rotavirus here that lasted 10+ days.

 

[PirateKate]

My oldest son had a two week stomach virus. Then I caught it from him when I was pregnant with my second. It sucked.

 

[3boys4me]

Nothing to add, but I hope she feels better soon. That is just awful to be sick like that for so long.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Well after another night of vomiting I took her to the ER this morning where they hooked her up to an IV and gave her a bag of fluids and a dose of Zofran which stopped the vomiting as long as we were at the hospital. She perked up a good bit and was even begging for Chick Fil-A (which the Dr and I quickly vetoed!). The Dr told her to stay on liquids only through tonight and she could start eating light IF everything was still ok by the morning.

We got home from the hospital and she slowly started getting nauseated again so I gave her a Zofran tablet but a couple of hours later the vomiting started again.

At the ER they did bloodwork and a urinalysis which both came back completely clear. The Dr chalked it up to a virus.

The ER Dr did say to bring her back if she got worse so I guess we will head back later if she isn't able to have a restful night.

Please keep her in your prayers. Poor thing is just miserable and I don't know what else to do. She was a champ with the IV though and didn't even flinch. I was very proud of her for that!

 

[RMulieri]

I had it for 14 days in August..I lost almost 10lbs just not being able to eat.It will run its course.

 

[mjkacmom]

Well after another night of vomiting I took her to the ER this morning where they hooked her up to an IV and gave her a bag of fluids and a dose of Zofran which stopped the vomiting as long as we were at the hospital. She perked up a good bit and was even begging for Chick Fil-A (which the Dr and I quickly vetoed!). The Dr told her to stay on liquids only through tonight and she could start eating light IF everything was still ok by the morning.

We got home from the hospital and she slowly started getting nauseated again so I gave her a Zofran tablet but a couple of hours later the vomiting started again.

At the ER they did bloodwork and a urinalysis which both came back completely clear. The Dr chalked it up to a virus.

The ER Dr did say to bring her back if she got worse so I guess we will head back later if she isn't able to have a restful night.

Please keep her in your prayers. Poor thing is just miserable and I don't know what else to do. She was a champ with the IV though and didn't even flinch. I was very proud of her for that!

They probably told you this, but limit liquids to no more than 1 tablespoon every 15 minutes - too much, and it won't stay down. The trick is to drink enough to stay hydrated, but not enough to cause vomiting. Obviously, no food or milk. My twins went a full week without food or milk, but never became dehydrated, because I made sure to measure out liquid. It's hard when they're begging for more to drink.

 

[erbeaman]

My two youngest had this same thing in August. My 5yo and 3yo had it right before we went to Disney. My 3yo DD continued to be sick for the first few days of our trip! Not fun! I actually took her to urgent care while at Disney and they assured me again that it was a virus. We stopped all food for 24+ hours, and the vomiting finally passed for good. She did have loose stools for the rest of the trip and almost a week after, but she was eating and acting fine. Both kids who had it would go for a day or so without vomiting and I would think they were getting better, only to have them throw up again. It sounds like your DD is going through the same thing. I hope she is feeling better soon!

 

[rodeo65]

DD had something the winter before last that lasted TWO months! We never did find out what it was - just a virus. She only threw up 5 or 6 times in the first couple of weeks, though. The rest of the time she was just nauseous.

At age 6 she dropped down to 36 lbs, though. That was the scariest thing - she just would not eat. Anything she had eaten that she threw up, she would not touch. Anything she had eaten that made her feel sick she would not touch. It became hummusconfused3) and crackers and cucumber for weeks. And water.

She had abdominal ultrasounds (2), blood work, saw a pediatric gastro specialist and nothing. Finally after two months, she just started feeling better a little at a time and started eating again.

It was such a scary time, but it did come to an end - my mind went to the bad place daily because there was no answer, but now a year and a half later she's completely fine and eats everything she avoided back then.

mjkacmom gave good advice - just a little water at a time - let her tummy keep it down and then a little more. I hope your DD is doing better today! Keep us posted.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Thanks, everyone. She is still pretty nauseated but she hasn't thrown up in 36 hours. She is eating some chicken noodle soup now so we will see how that stays down.

Crossing fingers that she can go back to school tomorrow! I wouldn't wish this on anyone.

 

[njmom47]

My pregnant DD has been throwing up since last Tuesday on and off...she goes from feeling good to being sick again. She went to the ER last week and they hydrated her and she was ok the next day but has been sick again since then. (She's due 10/2 and on the bright side she says she got a head start on losing weight).

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

My pregnant DD has been throwing up since last Tuesday on and off...she goes from feeling good to being sick again. She went to the ER last week and they hydrated her and she was ok the next day but has been sick again since then. (She's due 10/2 and on the bright side she says she got a head start on losing weight).

She may want to ask her OB about taking Zofran 8mg for the nausea/vomiting. I had to take it the entire time I was pregnant with DS3 due to hyperemesis - it was a lifesaver!

Hope she feels better soon!

 

[Maruika]

I know this is a really old post but we are going through the same with my 4 year old son and I am extremely worried. How long did this last for your DD? I am already thinking of the worst scenarios…

 

[mjkacmom]

I know this is a really old post but we are going through the same with my 4 year old son and I am extremely worried. How long did this last for your DD? I am already thinking of the worst scenarios…

I originally answered above, but after dealing with tons of stomach viruses with my 5 kids, it’s really important to keep them hydrated by limiting liquids, and food is definitely not helpful.