Thanks very much, Nickle for sharing all your knowledge and experience with me Sorry it's taken a while to get back in and post.

I think you were spot on - my DD's symptoms were very non-specific - I was just trying to think of all the options as to why she was behaving like she was. I was trying to get organised to "catch" a sample so I could bring it to the doctors with me, but it wasn't happening very easily! She didn't want me faffing about, given how grumpy she was anyway. I think you were also right about the pain she was experiencing vaginally - it was most likely from her poosplosion irritating her, as the next day she seemed far less irritated there. It's amazing though, isn't it? She had her nappy on for only a few minutes between poosplosions and being changed and that's the kind of irritation it can cause - poor bubbas!

Things have improved now a lot now - she is pretty much well aside from the teething - but I think whatever she had I've now caught as I'm in my pyjamas having a quiet day at home with DH WAH to help out after a high fever and nausea yesterday and last night and bad malaise, aching body and slight temp still hanging around today... now I understand why my DD was feeling so rotten for many days on end!

Thanks again for all your supportive advice - I really appreciate it, and it sounds to me like your DS has a wonderfully attentive, educated and brilliant mummy when it comes to his health problems