Please Help, My Son Has acute gastroenteritis!?

Question by Julio O: Please Help, My Son Has acute gastroenteritis!?
Hi, a few months back about 3 1/2 to exact we moved from LA to Phoenix. My 4yr Old son started school about a months after that. In mid september he got very sick with diarrhea cramps and vomiting. We took him to the ER and the pediatric surgeon told us he had a stomach virus, Acute Gastroenteritis. It only lasted about a week back then. Now almost 2 months later he has it again. This past sunday we took him back to the ER and Doctors told us the same thing. Their is nothing that thay can do just let it run its course. But this coming saturday it'll be two weeks. Hes not getting any better.. The cramps are extremly painful i cant stand him been like this. It breaks my heart, he gets them every 3 to 4 minutes. Can anyone suggest anything for the painful cramps?? Please it hurts me seen my baby boy like this.
Serious Answers Please.
Thank You.


Best answer:
Gastroenteritis is essentially a viral infection..like the stomach flu..and it should not last for weeks..If I were you I would go and get a second opinion..meanwhile..keep your son hydrated and give him tylenol/motrin..but if he is having very painful cramps I would take him back to the doctor/hospital asap..I don't think there is anything life threatening..but could be something else because I have never heard of gastroenteritis lasting that long...hope your son gets better soon..I know it is hard to see your kids hurting..you wish you could hurt instead of them.
Gastroenteritis – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

 

Have you ever had the "stomach flu?" What you probably had was gastroenteritis - not a type of flu at all. Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the lining of the intestines caused by a virus, bacteria or parasites. Viral gastroenteritis is the second most common illness in the U.S. It spreads through contaminated food or water, and contact with an infected person. The best prevention is frequent hand washing.

What are the symptoms of gastroenteritis?

The main symptoms of viral gastroenteritis are watery diarrhea and vomiting. The affected person may also have headache, fever, and abdominal cramps ("stomach ache"). In general, the symptoms begin 1 to 2 days following infection with a virus that causes gastroenteritis and may last for 1 to 10 days, depending on which virus causes the illness.

Diarrhea

Many people feel that any stools "looser" or softer than normal constitute diarrhea. This isn't really the case. Our stools vary in consistency depending on diet: older children and adults may have hard and soft stools in the same day, while infants' stools tend to be looser than older childrens' but still depend on what they are fed. Usually, babies fed breast milk produce looser stools than formula-fed babies, and babies fed soy-based formulas often have firmer stools than those being given milk-based formulas.

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Gastroenteritis Causes

Gastroenteritis has many causes. Viruses and bacteria are the most common.

Viruses and bacteria are very contagious and can spread through contaminated food or water. In up to 50% of diarrheal outbreaks, no specific agent is found. Improper handwashing following a bowel movement or handling a diaper can spread the disease from person to person.

Between January 1996 and November 2000, 348 outbreaks of norovirus were reported to the CDC. Out of these, 54% patients were contaminated by food, 17% by person to person, 4% by water, and 25% by unidentified sources. Most of the food sources responsible were identified as oysters, salads, salad dressing, sandwiches, deli meats, cake and frosting, raspberries, drinking water, and ice. Shellfish have been implicated in some outbreaks, but it is not a frequent source on cruise ships, where the predominant mode of infection is believed to be fecal-oral and person to person from individuals who come onto the ships ill and do not report the illness or quarantine themselves in their cabins.

Treatment of Gastroenteritis

Rehydration

Regardless of cause, the principal treatment of gastroenteritis (and of all other diarrheal illnesses) in both children and adults is rehydration, i.e. replenishment of water lost in the stools. Depending on the degree of dehydration, this can be done by giving the person oral rehydration therapy (ORT) or through intravenous delivery. ORT can begin before dehydration occurs, and continue until the person's urine and stool output return to normal.

Prevention

Use separate personal items around your home. Avoid sharing eating utensils, glasses and plates. Use separate towels in the bathroom.

Keep your distance. Avoid close contact with anyone who has the virus, if possible.

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