Sick and dehydrated

[Anonymous]

I’m at my witts end and dont know what else to do for Noah. He got sick last week with the sniffles (green and thick) and a bad cough. This past Thursday he started getting a fever. On Saturday he spiked a fever of 104 and refused food and drink from Friday till now. He still has a low grade fever but woke up today with a red rash from head to toe. I took him to the doc and they said it was probably viral and sent us on our way. In the meantime, he has done nothing but cry and sleep. I cannot get any fluids into him. He fights me like crazy. He has lost another pound and is now 19 lbs 8 oz. I dont know what to do and now I’m worried about dehydration too. I’ve tried everything to get fluids into him and nothing is working. He is so lethargic and wont even attempt to get up and walk. The doc just told us to push fluids and go ahead and sent him back to daycare (if he’s in daycare, she says).

Anybody have any advice. I’ve even tried popsicles. I’m almost to the point where I’m ready to take him to the ER so they can get fluids into him.

[Anonymous]

Gee Lisa, my kids’ doctor always says that if they are lethargic to the point of not walking around or playing that it is concerning to her.

Dehydration can get really bad, really fast.

How long has it been since he’s had something to drink?

If he’s not wetting his diapers, and continues to be lethargic I’d take him to the ER.

Good luck. I hope he’s better soon.

[Anonymous]

How many wet diapers has he had today? Like Christine said, if he isn’t wetting his diapers then I would take him to the ER. Kaelyn had an awful virus in the spring that was similar and our ped said that being lethargic was problematic but normal and to keep a careful eye on her. He said to worry if she stopped having wet diapers. It sounds crazy to say that he could go to day care in that state.

[Anonymous]

Noah’s last wet diaper was this afternoon around 4:00. Its been about 6 or 7 hours. I’ve only been able to get 1/4 oz in him in the last 8 hours. I even resorted to forcing and holding his arms while I syringed water into his mouth. I felt so bad, but didnt know what else to do to get liquids into him. I just cant believe that the doc sent us on our way. I’m tired of hearing… “Its a virus and it has to run its course”. Seems to me like a doc should be a little more concerened considering he isnt eating or drinking, he’s losing weight and he’s so lethargic he wont walk around.

[Anonymous]

Do you have a GI?? Will the GI admit him to the hospital? The first time that Matthew went on a hunger strike, i called the GI and the ped so many times – finally, the GI got scared and called and said she was going to admit him for some testing etc – we were admitted that afternoon. i know that he has a virus but with his ongoing eating issues, you should be pressing the GI to do something. Also once admitted, they can do the metabolic etc work. Call and scare the h*ll out of them seriously. If anything, take him to the ER – they will do fluids

If anything, maybe they are willing to give him some IV fluids so that he gets a bit stronger…??

I am so sorry that this is happening now. I will be thinking of you – please keep us posted

[Anonymous]

Lisa,

I’m so sorry to hear that you guys are dealing with this. I wonder if the virus is roseola… sounds kind of like it given the rash. The good news is that if it’s roseola, he should be feeling better very soon now that the rash has emerged.

Either way, I don’t like the sound of his fluid intake. Our doc always says that he looks at the behaviour to see if it’s a problem when they’re sick… so if they’re bouncing around with a fever of 104 that’s not as much of a problem as if they’re lying around lethargic with no fever at all. Have you tried jello? It’s full of water and kind of fun for them. We use the ones that are in the little tubs in the prepackaged section (not the refrigerator)- with the applesauce tubs and jello at the supermarket. I like it b/c it’s a bit firmer. So you can cut it up into little tiny cubes that he can pick up with his fingers. There’s lots of colours and flavours, and it has lots of water. You can also get sorbet and scoop out little pieces that can be picked up with his fingers. On top of that, can you keep syringing him 5-10mls of water every 30 minutes- hour just like you would medicine. Maybe that will help him a bit. What about putting him in the bath, and filling up cups of water in there for him, and see if he’ll drink a bit of the bathwater (I know it’s gross, but if you’re desperate).

If you can’t get anything into him (and even if you can) I’d consider taking him to the ER at your local children’s hospital. Thais’ suggestion is also a good one. Maybe you can get your doc to admit you so that you don’t have to wait for hours. They can evaluate him there, and if he’s dehydrated, then they can give him IV fluids to help perk him up a bit, like the others said.

I am also wondering what you should do about the periactin in the meantime. Our doc told us that it works by “drying them out” so that they feel hungry and thirsty, so I’m wondering if it’s better to stop it while he’s sick. I really don’t know, but all the more reason to get someone else to look at him.

As for the weight loss, we were told that it’s probably water for the most part (though I know that doesn’t make you feel any better). Please keep us posted. I’ll be thinking about you. HUGS.

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Noah is a little better today, but definitely not back to normal yet. My dh was able to get 4 oz in him during the middle of the night last night. He also got him to take another 4 oz this morning. I dont understand why he will drink better for him than for me. He still is refusing most solids and liquids when I offer him his cup, but atleast he took a little more than yesterday. I’m hoping he gradually starts eating more normally (normal for him atleast), and if not, I’m taking him straight to the ER if he continues to refuse liquids. In the meantime, I have a call in the GI, even though I know he will brush us off.

Lori – Yes, the doc said it was probably Roseola. The rash is clearing a little more today. I definitely will try the jello idea, and the bathtub is a great suggestion. He always drinks the yucky bath water. And as for the periactin, I havent given him any for the last several days. I actually forgot about giving it to him during all of this. Now that you mentioned that it dries him out, I’m glad that I havent been giving him any.

[Anonymous]

Lisa – I agree with everyone – sounds like Roseola but I’m sorry he’s so sick

and I’d be concerned about dehydration too – and I can’t believe your doctor

suggested you send him to daycare! Will he drink any fluids in front of TV?

Sometimes when Marisa is feeling sick she won’t drink but will in front of

Sesame Street or Dora. Lori’s jello idea is a great one too. Glad your DH was

able to get him to drink and I hope he feels better soon.

[Anonymous]

I’m glad he’s feeling a little better.

[Anonymous]

Lisa, glad that dh was able to get him to take a little bit. Hope he’s on the mend. They really do start to feel better quickly once the fever breaks and the rash comes out, but it’s always a mystery when you add a feeding aversion to the the mix. Keep us posted.

[Anonymous]

Glad to hear Noah’s feeling a little better. Our ped told us at the minimum 4 wet diapers in a 24 hour period. Good Luck we’ve had roseola 3 times this year!

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