Stomach Bug? Food Poisoning? Something Else?

Updated on November 30, 2008
T.H. asks from Litchfield, NH
8 answers

My four year old daughter had a bout of vomiting last night. Sorry to be graphic, but she vomited only three times - 8pm, 9pm, and 9:20pm. She slept through the night and woke up back to her normal self this morning...full of her usual vim and vigor. She ate a piece of toast and a banana for breakfast, and begged for a bagel with cream cheese. She was able to keep all of this down, so we seem to be past the bug or whatever it was. This is the second time in about a month that this has happened. The last time, no one else in the family caught it, and she had no new or unusual foods either time.

I know I'm being a worry wort mom, but is this pretty typical? She started preschool three days a week this year - is this part of her new exposure to more viruses, etc.? What else can I expect this year?

Thanks so much!

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B.L.

answers from Springfield on

This could be just a stomach bug..kids dont wash their hands as much as they should, not a bad habbit to teach your little one at this age. But...
Keep an eye on what she is eating ..as much work as it may be..write down every thing she is eating at home and at day care for one month. Particularly pay attention to the additives and preservatives in most of the food she is eating ..she may be eating something that her body cant handle. Also pay particular attention to any thing made with Canola Oil in it. It has been found that some people can not eat this oil and that it is actually genetically altered Rape seed oil which is not really for human consumption and people have been getting sick from it. If you follow this regimin for a month and she is ok..then she might have just picked up a virus off a door knob or something..but something in the food might be the first place to look.
Keep in mind that the food might not be unusual but the ingredients maybe.

Good Luck and Good Health

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L.Z.

answers from Boston on

Hi T. - I am a big-time worrier and when my kids get any little bug or illness I totally get beyond reason! So I had to reply to this! I think this sounds pretty typical as well. What the other post said is SO true - my kids have been in day care since they were 3 months old, and that first year-year and a half was the worst for both of them. My youngest is 17 months now, and last year she was sick basically the entire year with ear infections, colds, bronchiolitis, and a stomach bug that lasted 10 days, no joke. I was beside myself. Just the other day she threw up four times in a row (one episode; four times within about a minute) and I thought it would be as bad as she had it last year, but she was pretty much fine the next day. I have learned that kids get these things often and that it is VERY common. I am trying not to worry so much myself, but it is so hard, I know! Be comforted by the fact that she is acting like herself again so quickly and getting past it quickly. My doctor always said that my girls would either get germs in day care now, or once they hit preschool and kindergarten. I am REALLY hoping this is true and the illnesses will slow down a bit when they get to school. I also get them the flu shot every year as well, by the way. Good luck and keep us posted!

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J.M.

answers from Boston on

My one year old did the same thing two nights ago, and has been pretty much fine ever since. We did call the dr. after round three and she said that this has been going around and it's a fast one (24 hrs) - thank goodness!

If your daughter's new to preschool, expect her to be sick a lot. When my daughter started daycare at 6 months, she was sick all the time. Our pedi said that the first year kids are out and about in the world (daycare, preschool, kindergarten, etc) expect them to be sick about 10 times for about 10 days each. Yes, a full third of the year. The vast majority of these things are just colds, they just take longer for little people to shake.

And, I fear people are going to jump all over me for this, if you haven't gotten her a flu shot, do so. They now are giving kids older than 2 the flu mist if you chose. They just inhale it, so no needles, and it is actually supposed to be more effective than the shot. Also, there's no thimerisol (the mercury based preservative.)

Good luck. I know it's no fun when the kids are sick.

D.B.

answers from Boston on

Yes, it's normal. Also, if the stomach bug makes it lower in the system, it can manifest as diarrhea - all part of the same thing. A great key to remembering what kids can eat when they first start out after a bug is the "BRAT diet" - Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast. The "T" can also stand for "turkey" (or chicken) if you want to get a little protein into them. These are easily digestible foods.

Also, flat ginger ale is the best "first food" - not just any soda (as my mom always forced flat Coke into us!) - ginger is a key soother for upset stomachs. Use the regular, not diet - a little sugar can help if they've not kept anything down for a while. You know how pregnant women with bad morning sickness keep getting sick even if their stomachs are empty? It can be from a too-low sugar level. That said, don't fill your kid up on sugar either! A little jam on the toast might be okay. I'd watch out for the cream cheese or butter.

When they first start eating after being ill, go slowly - wait an hour between foods.

If you want to try a fantastic kids' supplement that boosts the immune system and does a fantastic job of preventing these colds, flus and viruses altogether, I'd love to ttell you more about Reliv's "Now for Kids". Aside from preventing a lot of the annoying things, it contains DHA and Omega 3's for brain development and strong growth. Totally safe - not a warning label on it like kids' vitamins usually have. Manufactured under one roof, ingredients quarantined and tested several times, etc. Formulated by Carl Hastings, the guy who helped developed fabulous infant formulas like ProSoBee and Enfamil - a genius and world-renowned guru on food science. Reliv has been highly reviewed by business magazines and has received numerous awards for humanitarian work feeding hungry kids world-wide. I'd love to take you thru the website (Reliv.com) in 15 minutes - it's a huge website with tons of info for all kinds of healthy issues, but in 15 minutes I can steer you to the areas you need and connect you with other moms whose kids basically never get sick, have gotten rid of food and environmental allergies, and more! let me know! There are great ways to avoid your not-favorite time of the year!

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C.H.

answers from Boston on

tummy bug, gross, but totally normal... be prepared for the next week for everyone else to get it... good luck!

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L.W.

answers from Boston on

Well, my daughter just got over a stomach bug. Hers lasted 3 days. My sitters grandson was sick before her, but he threw up 3 x in a row, & that was it. It was over with.
My daughter is also 4 & in preschool 3 x a week. I think its just something going around. When she comes home from school, wash her hands & wash down her lunchbox.
Did you know there was Airborne for kids? I wonder if it would actually work. I thought of trying it, but i dont think my kids would drink it.

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C.Z.

answers from Portland on

Hi, does she cough before this happens? My kids get post nasal drip from having a little cold sometimes and they cough till they throw up and then are fine in the morning...i'm a hypo too so I know how u feel lol.

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S.L.

answers from Boston on

Hi T.

I wonder if its something she is eating that maybe she could be having an allergic reaction to? i'd keep a log of things that she is eating over the next month. Doesnt sound like the flu, or even a 24-hour bug if she's only voimitting a few times during the course of a couple hours and then regaining a healthy appetite right away.

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