HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

What Causes Diarrhea And Vomiting In A Child?

Posted on Thu, 3 Nov 2016

Question: My 10 year old daughter has had a couple of episodes of starting out diarrhea and then vomiting. She does not have fever and when all is done (20 minutes), she feels better. This happened Monday and Tuesday (1 episode per day) and then all was good until Sunday morning and that was one episode and she felt fine. Could this be from a "lunchable" that she had eaten 18 hours before two of the episodes?

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Could be a possibility but rare

Detailed Answer:
Hi.... what you suggest could to be a theoretical possibility.

Only staphylococcus can cause such a rapid onset of diarrhoea in child. But this will not be self limiting like this and it will also not be coming as single episode per day. The child may become dehydrated too. All this has not happened. So I am suggesting that this is only a possibility.

Usually food poisoning can cause diarrhoea and vomiting anywhere between 7 to 10 days period. This is the most common incubation period for most organisms causing food poisoning.

If she is not having diarrhoea or vomiting now, you need not worry.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (12 minutes later)

So it was a viral infection that maybe wasn't completely out of her body and it took a week to get rid of it? It just concerned me because she went 4 whole days without one episode and then it hit again violently.

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It could be viral diarrhoea - Will explain in detail

Detailed Answer:
Hi...It seems your kid may be having or had viral diarrhoea. Once it starts it will take 5-7 days to completely get better.

Unless the kid's having low urine output or very dull or excessively sleepy or blood in motion or green bilious vomiting...you need not worry.

There is no need to use antibiotics unless there is blood in the motion. Antibiotics might worsen if unnecessarily used causing antibiotic associated diarrhoea.

I suggest you use zinc supplements (Z&D drops 1ml once daily for 14 days) & ORS (Each small packet mixed in 200ml of potable water and keep giving sip by sip) as hydration is very important and crucial part of treatment.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (5 minutes later)

thank you !

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I am happy that my suggestions helped you

Detailed Answer:
I wish your kid a speedy recovery. If you need any future medical consultation and suggestions, I will be glad to help. You can approach me at the following link.

Once the page opens there will be an option below my image as – ASK ME A QUESTION – click on it.

Please find the link below -

www.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-sumanth-amperayani/67696

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar