Vomiting, Diarrhea, but No Fever?

Updated on November 28, 2012
D.B. asks from Eastlake, CO
10 answers

My 11 y.o. has a hyperactive immune system and rarely gets sick. I swear he could drink spoiled lumpy milk, spend the afternoon with a room full of flu ridden kids, and not miss a beat. He's ADHD and is on growth hormone injections (pituitary gland stopped functioning in this capacity when he was 3.)

When he was about 10 months old, he had a pretty bad cold. When he was 6 years old, he had the H1N1 flu which only put him out of commission for about 8 hours. Otherwise, he's never had any other illnesses or even cold like symptoms. Until this weekend. On Thursday, while hunting with dad, he vomited. He was ok the rest of the day. Over the weekend, he complained once or twice about feeling nauseous, but nothing happened. Then this morning he started with diarrhea around 3 am and it kept on through breakfast, at which point he also vomited. Honestly, until he threw up I thought he might be faking (being Monday morning after a long weekend) because he had no fever. No runny nose, no cough, nothing.

Is it possible to have a 'stomach' type flu without a fever? Any other ideas what could be going on?

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C.L.

answers from Minneapolis on

Yes, my kids get stomach bugs with diarrhea and vomiting with NO fever. In fact, I dont think that they ever have a fever with those symptoms.

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L.R.

answers from Washington DC on

Fever is not necessarily present with stomach viruses. And it's not a "flu," it's a virus.

If it continues, you need to ensure he stays hydrated. Water alone may not be enough. Call the pediatrician and ask what they suggest. He may prefer popsicles to suck on all the time over drinking a ton. Gatorade can be more upsetting, be warned!

If it continues, have him tested for foodborne illness like salmonella, E. coli, etc. right away. If they were out hunting, what were they eating? Some foodborne illnesses can take several days, a week or more to turn up, and then can take days or weeks to get over. But get him tested if this lasts much longer, just to be sure it ISN'T something nastier than a virus.

3 moms found this helpful

R.A.

answers from Boston on

Yep, He's got the good old stomach bug. They can have it with or without a fever. Hopefully it won't last long!!

Wash your hands all day long..Lysol. Protect yourself well. I find if I don't do this, I end up with it..Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate..

2 moms found this helpful

M.R.

answers from Detroit on

My kids and myself have never had a fever with the stomach flu.

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H.M.

answers from Omaha on

He pry has the stomach bug as most call it. It doesn't cause a fever. For that matter it rarely does. It can but it's not one of the hallmarks of that bug. Most people confuse the stomach bug with the Flu which it is not. Flu does cause a fever though so that is how you usually know which a child has. Plus vomiting isn't a symptom of the flu. Isn't childhood illnesses fun.

Anyways, sound like your child has classic stomach bug. Hope he gets better quick.

L.A.

answers from Austin on

Yep, sounds like that terrible stomach flu that has been going on.. Very contagious.. Make sure you wash your hands all day. ..

From what i have heard it goes on for days and then they are weak for even longer.

Call his doc and get the latest instructions on how to help him..

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L.N.

answers from New York on

absolutely, stomach virus does not cause fever. and it should leave his system between 24 and 48 hrs.

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

It sounds like rotavirus.
It doesn't always cause a fever if it's a mild case.
Sometimes it can pop up like a 24 or 48 hr stomach/intestinal bug.
My stomach will just feel off, and after awhile I'll throw up - and I usually feel fine fairly quickly.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/rotavirus/DS00783/DSECTI...

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.M.

answers from Detroit on

My husband and 3yo had a similar stomach virus over the weekend. Just diarrhea and vomiting -- no fever. My husband was achy too and laid in bed all day. My son seemed a little tired and pale, but was otherwise ok. It only lasted 24 hours for them.

S.K.

answers from Denver on

11 out of the 14 people that were together for thanksgiving came down with this same crappy bug! It started before Thanksgiving so I know it wasnt the turkey but holy cow its a bad one!

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