DD has gastro. I do too, but I've had it before and am coping...just.
At the moment her nappies are okay in terms of wetness, not as wet as normal but she's a heavy wetter, so they're still reasonable. She hasn't really eaten very much over the last 2 and a half days, but we've been giving her lots of water and hydrolite. She hasn't vomited since yesterday, but she's been having lots of massive watery diarrhoea poos that soak and seep out out of her nappy. Just wondering how I'll know if she needs to go to hospital (if at all) for dehydration, what signs there are that tell me she's more than just a bit dehydrated? She has been a little sleepier than normal, going back to 2 or more naps a day, is unhappy a lot of the time, and as of this morning isn't really drinking as much either. Hopefully after her nap she'll be more interested.
Hi PZ,
Here's a link to a reliable government site.
Hydrolyte is often recommended for rebalancing fluid loss etc. it's also available in icy poles to freeze.
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/gastroenteritis_in_children?open
ETA- if your concerned maybe Nurse on Call could give you some more info and guidance.
Get well soon!
If you press on the back of their hand and the skin goes from white back to pink they aren't dehydrated. Def the wet nappies are a good indicator too. I think if she is tolerating the hydralyte and is having enough of it she should be fine I wouldn't rush to hospital if your happy with all of the above!
If you pinch the skin around her hand or collarbone and it goes back to normal quickly when you release it then she is not dehydrated. Other signs are her lips and mouth, they should be moist. Hydralite icy poles are great for keeping kids hydrated during gastro, but if you don't have any then some flat lemonade or lucozade will help too as it will give her sugars as well as fluids. If you are worried then you could get the GP to come and see her, there's a free home visiting service at weekends/evenings in Melbourne just google home visiting doctor for the phone number.
I would call the national nurse hotline and they can assess her over the phone. Is she sleepy when she is awake? They can go downhill very quickly and at her age over two days of being sick is quite long, I would certainly call today to double check.
When DS has gastro he always has 'lasting' diarehhea. He had it for 9 days just before his 1st birthday, it was awful, and i went back to the dr twice!!! During that time he did go back to 2 sleeps or longer sleeps, but they did the skin pinch test and his nappies were 'wet enough'. We also gave him Hydrolite and a probiotic to get his tummy right again. It was a long stretch but we made it through! Numerous stool samples later and nothing nasty was found, just put down to gastro, which of course then i experienced too and it was awful!! If you are at allconcerned get her loooked at though xx
If she still is having wet nappies and as everyone has said if her skin goes back to normal after being pinched then she is still hydrated.
Just for reassurance give Nurse On Call a ring - 1300 606024, they are in Victoria and open 24/7, they are on my speed dial and I have used them numerous times to get an opinion on whether to take teh kids to the Dr or hospital.
Registered User
Gastro
I wouldn't rush to hospital if your happy with all of the above!
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