Stomach Bug or Dehydration?

Updated on June 07, 2010
H.H. asks from Little River Academy, TX
11 answers

My daughter has been throwing up this morning. Yesterday we spent most of the day outside and at the pool. She didn't drink a lot of fluids unfortunately and was at a party which served juice rather than water. When we got home last night she was tired and said her stomach was hurting, so she just went to bed, and now is sick this morning. She can't keep anything down right now. Any thoughts?

Edit:
She is 5 years old, and has no fever. She is only nauseous, no other symptoms. She is vomiting about ever 30mins. since she woke 3 hours ago.

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.B.

answers from Minneapolis on

She might be a little "sun sick." Try to get her to drink something (something with electrolytes will help like Pedialyte - even popsicles) and just rest today in the house where it is cool. Extra salty foods when she gets hungry will help, too (popcorn and a movie?). I'll bet by evening, she will be her old self (maybe just a little tired, still).

Good luck!

2 moms found this helpful

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.G.

answers from St. Louis on

Just try to get her to drink as much as she can hold down. The rule of thumb when vomiting is only a couple of sips every 15 minutes (as per our pediatrician). Any fever? This should work it's self out. Now, if she can not keep even keep a few sips down for more than a couple of days, she needs to be seen incase she gets dehydrated. I hope she gets well fast.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.A.

answers from New York on

She may have swollowed too much pool water on top of juice and I am asuming snacks from the party.Does she have a fever? If yes stomach bug.Either way, she needs fluids now, even though shes throwing up.Small amounts of water, gatoraide, peadialite, tea anything clear
Hope she feels better soon,
S..

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.B.

answers from San Antonio on

Sounds like dehydration. See if you can get her to drink something like gatorade-something w/electrolytes in it.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.D.

answers from Austin on

Call the dr. For vomiting every 30 minutes, I would get some professional advice.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.W.

answers from San Antonio on

If you can get some Coca Cola Syrup (or Cola Syrup) from a fountain or pharmacy, give her 1 tsp. on crushed ice every hour. I had a doctor recommend this many years ago when my son couldn't even keep water down. It works for Colic, Samonella Poisoning, Flue, etc. Walgreens used to carry it, but last time I checked, they had a substitute that is twice as expensive. The best way to find it is if you have an old fashioned soda fountain somewhere. Do watch for a fever, though. Throwing up is also a sign of other things, ear infection, flu, apendicitis. If the Coca-Cola syrup doesn't work, take her to the doctor.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.W.

answers from San Antonio on

You might also try warm chicken broth; sometimes it's easier to keep down than water.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.G.

answers from Austin on

Great suggestions below. Also try giving her a 1 -2 tsp of crushed ice every 15 min. or so.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

I.G.

answers from Seattle on

You don't say how old she is... but unless showing signs of dehydration (lethargy, sunken eyes, dry lips and mucous membranes) just start giving her tiny sips of water until it stays down consistently.
We just had a stomach bug like that a few weeks ago. I give a very small sip of water or pedialyte (no more than an ounce at a time) every 30 minutes. If it comes back up we wait 1 hour and try again.
My daughter couldn't keep anything down in the morning, but after napping her stomach settled and she was fine.
Good luck!

V.W.

answers from Jacksonville on

Every year there are stories about public pools closed due to fecal contamination or some kind of bacteria that has gotten into the pool. You didn't say where your daughter was at a pool. If it was at a pool that babies with swim diapers are allowed into, perhaps she swallowed some contaminants that have brought on a stomach issue. If she is still throwing up as regularly as she started out, by mid-afternoon, I would at LEAST call her ped. Or consider popping into an urgent care. With a regular stomach bug, once they have completely emptied the stomach of it's contents, the vomiting tends to slow down considerably. Going from say, every 30 minutes down to every 2 hours or longer. Then only when she has ingested something... and usually turns to diarrhea for a little bit. But if it's e.coli or something, I think the pattern is different.. I would research it further online or ask the doctor. The biggest concern is to watch for dehydration (sunken eyes, difficult to rouse, etc). Small sips of something without a lot of sugar every 10-15 minutes until she can keep things down better. (diluted gatorade works well for this). Then maybe offer her a few goldfish crackers or saltines and see how that goes.

I doubt the juice at the party caused anything.. Food poisoning sounds much more likely to me. If there was some food that sat out too long and maybe went bad? Food poisoning makes me feel like that (like a rock in the stomach for awhile before the vomiting starts). And usually there aren't really other symptoms besides stomach ache and nausea. Don't force foods... let her tell you when she is ready. Offer, but don't insist. A nice Disney flick with a blanket sounds like a nice way to spend the afternoon.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.L.

answers from Houston on

That sounds like it could be food poisoning, it also could be dehydrations and too much sun. Try to push fluids and clear liquids. (Popsicles are great, and pedialyte has some popsicles that work great.) I hope she feels better soon! You can always call your pediatricians office and see what the nurse thinks, or the nurse line for your health insurance.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions