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Tonsils And Adenoids Removed. Took Zofran For Stomach Flu, Nausea, Diarrhea And Fever. Safe Remedy?
Question: My son had his tonsils and adenoids removed 3days ago and I think he also developed the stomach flu, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and fever. The throat looks great considering, and there is no bleeding. He received 1700 cc bolus yesterday in the ED and a script for SL Zofran, which stopped the nausea and vomiting, but the diarrhea is non-stop....he refuses to eat a drinks very very little, should I take him back to the ED?
Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic
Diarrhoea and vomiting is a problem in children because of the risk of dehydration. For this reason, doctors are not so much concerned with their desire to eat at this point because this will return when they feel better , but are very concerned with hydration status.
To determine whether he may be able be treated at home or need to be taken to the hospital, you need to evaluate his level of hydration.
Dehydration results in (1) decreased urination , so is his still going to the bathroom to pass water as often?
(2) excess drowsiness- one of the indicators of dehydration is an increased drowsy state
(3) dry skin and skin tenting- in persons with adequate fluid, when the skin is mildly elevated or pinched gently ,it returns as soon as it is released. In dehydration, it may remain up because of decreased fluid in the skin
(4) dry appearance of the tongue
(5) if he cries, there are no tears
(6)increased in the heart rate
Since he is no longer vomiting, in the absence of dehydration, you can try replacing his fluids at home.
This would require pedialyte which would contain the fluid and electrolytes that he needs.
He needs to be given some each time he stools to replace the fluid he loses with each bowel movement.
If you have the pedialyte and can treat him at home then you need to give him 50 ml to 100ml of fluid per kg to replace what he may have loss already. Each time he stools he needs 10ml for each kg to replace that loss.
For example if he weighs 40 kg, he would need between 2000ml to 4000ml to replace any previous losses and an additional 400ml for each stool.
This is not given all at once, it is given initially as 5 ml portions every 1 to 2 minutes, if he tolerates this over a half hour period, then you can increase to 1 table spoon (15 ml). If this is tolerated then it can be further increased.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Diarrhoea and vomiting is a problem in children because of the risk of dehydration. For this reason, doctors are not so much concerned with their desire to eat at this point because this will return when they feel better , but are very concerned with hydration status.
To determine whether he may be able be treated at home or need to be taken to the hospital, you need to evaluate his level of hydration.
Dehydration results in (1) decreased urination , so is his still going to the bathroom to pass water as often?
(2) excess drowsiness- one of the indicators of dehydration is an increased drowsy state
(3) dry skin and skin tenting- in persons with adequate fluid, when the skin is mildly elevated or pinched gently ,it returns as soon as it is released. In dehydration, it may remain up because of decreased fluid in the skin
(4) dry appearance of the tongue
(5) if he cries, there are no tears
(6)increased in the heart rate
Since he is no longer vomiting, in the absence of dehydration, you can try replacing his fluids at home.
This would require pedialyte which would contain the fluid and electrolytes that he needs.
He needs to be given some each time he stools to replace the fluid he loses with each bowel movement.
If you have the pedialyte and can treat him at home then you need to give him 50 ml to 100ml of fluid per kg to replace what he may have loss already. Each time he stools he needs 10ml for each kg to replace that loss.
For example if he weighs 40 kg, he would need between 2000ml to 4000ml to replace any previous losses and an additional 400ml for each stool.
This is not given all at once, it is given initially as 5 ml portions every 1 to 2 minutes, if he tolerates this over a half hour period, then you can increase to 1 table spoon (15 ml). If this is tolerated then it can be further increased.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Can I alternate Lortab elixir and Motrin? Also can he use a straw to encourage fluids
Yes you can use a straw if he is more likely to this way, anything that encourages him to drink is good. Fluids are key
In terms of the lortab elixir and the motrin , you can alternate because they are composed of two different types of medication but you have to be careful with the interval between dosing.
The lortab is used every 4 to 6 hours so you would have to wait this amount of time before giving the motrin. IN addition since his intestines are inflammed then it would be best to wait till after he is drinking a little better before using the motrin.
This family of medications ,NSAIDS , can sometimes irritate the GI tract.
Please feel free to ask any other questions
In terms of the lortab elixir and the motrin , you can alternate because they are composed of two different types of medication but you have to be careful with the interval between dosing.
The lortab is used every 4 to 6 hours so you would have to wait this amount of time before giving the motrin. IN addition since his intestines are inflammed then it would be best to wait till after he is drinking a little better before using the motrin.
This family of medications ,NSAIDS , can sometimes irritate the GI tract.
Please feel free to ask any other questions
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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