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Are Ondansetron And Refora A Effective At Treating Food Poisoning?
Question: 5 year old boy had symptoms from the morning which started as mild diarrhea (only once), upset stomach, v omiting (few times), general feeling of unwell. After few hours temperature was ~37.5. Was sleepy all day which is very uncommon for him even when he has high grade fever or even flu. Towards the evening had 38.5 and quite an intense headache (was holding his head, crying, which is not that common), moaning through sleep. No appetite, no more vomiting (even though he is given fluids), no more diarrhea. Temperature went down only after he was given ibuprofen (didn't go down after paracetamol), yet still has headache.
Brief Answer:
ORS is the mainstay of treatment
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
It seems that your child has an episode of gastroenteritis or food poisoning. It could be due to contaminated food or improper hand hygiene.
In any case, you need to give your child some antiemetic like ondansetron as and when needed, especially before feeds (15 min-30 min prior to feeds).
The stomach problems and loose stools may persist for a couple of days before it resolves. Please be patient. You may give probiotics like Refora R.
Also give curd or yogurt since it contains plenty of beneficial bacteria and should help.
In any case, you need to give your child some antispasmodic like decolic as and when needed.
The mainstay of treatment is ORS (oral rehydration solution). Unless the lost salts and fluids are replenished the child would become dehydrated.
The urine output needs to be monitored. If the frequency comes down it indicates dehydration and calls for additional supplementation of fluids.
But if the child becomes lethargic you would need to take the child to a hospital without delay.
Give zinc supplements like Zinconia Syr 5 ml once daily for the next 10 days. You need not worry. It should gradually return back to normal.
Give Paracetamol or Ibuprofen only after food when needed.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Diptanshu Das, Pediatrician
ORS is the mainstay of treatment
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
It seems that your child has an episode of gastroenteritis or food poisoning. It could be due to contaminated food or improper hand hygiene.
In any case, you need to give your child some antiemetic like ondansetron as and when needed, especially before feeds (15 min-30 min prior to feeds).
The stomach problems and loose stools may persist for a couple of days before it resolves. Please be patient. You may give probiotics like Refora R.
Also give curd or yogurt since it contains plenty of beneficial bacteria and should help.
In any case, you need to give your child some antispasmodic like decolic as and when needed.
The mainstay of treatment is ORS (oral rehydration solution). Unless the lost salts and fluids are replenished the child would become dehydrated.
The urine output needs to be monitored. If the frequency comes down it indicates dehydration and calls for additional supplementation of fluids.
But if the child becomes lethargic you would need to take the child to a hospital without delay.
Give zinc supplements like Zinconia Syr 5 ml once daily for the next 10 days. You need not worry. It should gradually return back to normal.
Give Paracetamol or Ibuprofen only after food when needed.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Diptanshu Das, Pediatrician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Thank you, dear dr. Diptanshu. The fever persists, so it seems more likely be gastroenteritis. The main reason I was concerned was his headache (which has subsided now), is headache also common for gastroenteritis? Thanks again! Also, do you have a direct link so I could find you for questions in the future?
Brief Answer:
A headache is a bit unlikely but could be precipitated by electrolyte imbalance
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
A headache is a bit unlikely but could be precipitated by an electrolyte imbalance. ORS should help.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Diptanshu Das, Pediatrician
A headache is a bit unlikely but could be precipitated by electrolyte imbalance
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
A headache is a bit unlikely but could be precipitated by an electrolyte imbalance. ORS should help.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Diptanshu Das, Pediatrician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
Dear dr. Diptanshu, one strange thing is that fever (38.5C) and headache (a bit milder now) remains, however the only time he had diarrhea was a single time in the morning yesterday and that followed by 3 occurrences of vomiting, with not that much of outcome. I doubt he has lost any significant amount of fluids / electrolytes. Does it happen that viral gastroenteritis (rotavirus or norovirus?) are so mild on vomiting/diarrhea side? Or maybe it is possible this is something else?
Brief Answer:
Get a few blood tests done
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I would insist you to get a few blood tests done. Blood for complete blood counts, CRP, MP Dual antigen. Upload the reports thereafter and I will guide you accordingly.
I am looking to rule out malaria or bacterial infection as a possible cause. If not, I would not be concerned about the headache. I would assume it to be an association of gastroenteritis.
Fluid-electrolyte imbalance can occur even when diarrhea and vomiting are mild.
Hope I have answered your query.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Diptanshu Das, Pediatrician
Get a few blood tests done
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I would insist you to get a few blood tests done. Blood for complete blood counts, CRP, MP Dual antigen. Upload the reports thereafter and I will guide you accordingly.
I am looking to rule out malaria or bacterial infection as a possible cause. If not, I would not be concerned about the headache. I would assume it to be an association of gastroenteritis.
Fluid-electrolyte imbalance can occur even when diarrhea and vomiting are mild.
Hope I have answered your query.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Diptanshu Das, Pediatrician
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
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