Stomach Bug or Food Poisoning?

you can't be 100% sure, but does it matter? the treatment is basically the same, and you probably need to enlist help anyway.

for me food poisoning was more violent and horribly uncomfortable than even a bad stomach bug, but i'm not a doctor and don't know if my experience is typical.

short of getting lab testing, the only sensible way to diagnose food poisoning is to scrutinize what you've eaten lately. if it's at a restaurant and you really think it could have happened there, of course it's a great public service thing to alert them to the possibility so they can check it out.

but when the pedal hits the metal you just treat it until it passes. i'd definitely keep it away from the baby regardless of the cause.
khairete
S.

Ugh - sounds awful.

Actually, I don't think it matters what caused it, unless you want to sue a restaurant or notify the government about tainted food products.

The treatment is the same: rest, fluids, stay away from others, wash hands to prevent transfer to family members, monitor dehydration, etc.

Even if it's bacterial (food poisoning or a bacterial bug), it's likely going to run its course as a virus would do, before any testing could be done or antibiotics prescribed.

Hang in there!

If it were food poisoning, you would have really bad stomach cramps. Probably some sort of bug. I would get that help with the kids before your whole house comes down with it!

Pedialyte! Your little one needs hydration. It can easily get away from you, and that's scary.

Good luck!

Most likely it's a bug.
Food poisoning - while possible - isn't that common.
Also - if others ate what you did - they'd be sick too.

Norovirus is really common.
The only good thing about it is - if you have it - you only get it roughly once every 10 or so years.
If the kids have already had it - they should be good for awhile.

Go to bed - sip some ginger ale.
Keep your fluids up once you can keep something down and don't rush getting back to your regular diet.
Hopefully it'll be over quickly.

I've had food poisoning a few times. My experience has been vomiting usually accompanied with diarrhea. It was relentless and made me extremely weak. 3 out of 4 of my family members had it at the same time and the symptoms were the same across the board. I've had it 3 different times. Each time was from a restaurant (not the same one). It's absolutely awful.

Please rest and get help with the kids no matter what. One of my experiences was bad enough the doctor I worked for came by the house and gave my husband and I shots. It took me about 3 days to get over it. If your vomiting continues without letting up more than 24 hours, please consider seeking medical attention.

I hope you feel better soon. Please let us know how you're doing.

get pedialyte. drink some yourself, have extras on hand for if the kids get it. its not always possible to know if its a bug or poisoning. but hydration is key to not ending up staying in the hospital. make sure you are drinking. the pedialyte is great because its got all the electrolytes added to help with balancing that. when i am vomiting i drink it. and yes i am an adult! both my kids drink it when they are having vomiting episodes. ( i buy the enfamil enfalyte since it does not contain artificial sweetners or colors.) i try to be prepared and keep one in the fridge for when its needed. and replace it once we use it or it expires

If it's a stomah bug, don't haveanyone come in. You will only succeed in spreading it. Your older one can help you out. It will pass. Just let everyyhing go.