Glandular Fever & my 7yrDD

[Becci]

My dr told me that liver and kidney compliants with GF are quite common.
For me it was my kidney - shocking infection, and my friend (who I got it from) had liver problems. Nothing major, just played up. Might have been all the alcohol filled years leading up to GF that didn't help though lol (well we were 19 & 20 at the time).
Hope she's feeling better soon, keep us posted.

[Kitt3n]

no experience with this with a little one, however I had it myself when i was 16. A friend of mine was actually off work for 6 months when she had it!

I agree with getting as much into her as you can in her "energetic" hours.

I found it so very very had to swallow at first though, so maybe extra liquids and some good home cooked soup. Even if she cant swallow the ingredients, much of the goodness will be in the liquid.

And lots of hugs and patience - i wouldnt wish this on my worst enemy, or even G W Bush!! Her little body just needs lots of rest and a loving mummy. Sounds like you are doing a great job.

[The[cookie]Doctor]

Hoobley suggested booster drinks -
When my DF had glandular last year (and yes i realsie the massive age difference but...)
We got him to have lots of powerade/gatorade and sustagen. At least that way when he wasn't eating he was pouring in liquids etc.
Powerade etc is electrolytic which from memory facilitates muscle repair etc, so it could help a bit, and as for the sustagen - well i used that as a food replacement when i was pregnant becuase with m/s i couldn't stomach anything.

If her liver has issues as well you have to cut out as much fat from the diet as possible. From DF's experience, fat can/will cause diarrhea if she is having liver issues.

I hope she gets better soon.

[paradise lost]

Yes, powerade helps the body build muscle, i drink it after long runs (10miles+) to help refresh my legs. I have a friend whose little girl had to have chemo and they managed to keep her weight on with drinks like sustagen.

I totally forgot that fat would cause problems if her liver was ill too. Poor little love! She sure is lucky to have you doulamamma. What did the chinese herbalist say? I know they have good herbs for toning the liver but only know adults (with alcohol problems) who've used them, don't know if they'd be too strong for littlies.

Bx

[doulamamma]

she's slowly improving - but still very tired - slept three hrs this afternoon - a rareity! we'll see how long she lasts tonight.
the chinese herbalist gave her 'spleenogen' and 'mnb' (vitamin b and folic) - and although she'd rather take pillules (sugar coated) she's been pretty good about taking it all.
Her appetite is definitely stronger in the mornings - but overall she is still pretty exhausted - and prefers to stay home . she is drinking a lot of tea - and complains only sometimes of a sore throat - its mostly the stomach (liver/spleen) that is really bothering her. and she doesn't like that she hasn't been able to hang out with her cousines (who have imposed a quarantine on her)
- as for the fat - we are trying to avoid dairy and extra fatty - she has gone off things she usually likes that are unhealthy -pringles - (normally she could eat half a tin - she tried one and left it alone)
thanks all. - will keep you updated

[Becci]

Glad she's feeling a little better.

[Schmickers]

Glandular fever causes a very long-lasting fatigue and malaise, and children who do not adequately rest can often experience a resurgence of the symptoms of the initial infection. It's important not to push her too hard, and to allow her to rest as much as she needs - the kind of sleeps you are describing are typical of early glandular fever, and the best thing she can do is listen to her body and rest and sleep as she needs to. As she gets better, she may feel more energetic, but she will still need to be reminded to take it easy and rest.

Oh, and be careful of energy drinks or milkshakes with raw egg in them - they can cause salmonella gastroenteritis, which is a quite severe gastro infection, and the last thing she needs at the moment. Perhaps hold off on anything containing raw egg until she is better, or in fact, see if you can omit it completely.