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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Can Gastroenteritis Be Treated?

My family and I have had a stomach bug in varying degrees since Christmas Eve. I have tried to keep the house disinfected, but it hasn t worked or isn t helping. The bug appears to be gone, and then recurs repeatedly. I first threw up on Christmas Eve. I m in bed today with awful nausea, fatigue, and sulfur burps. I ve had it at least three times in between. One of my children has had it three weeks in a row. I took her to her pediatrician who told us that it is just a virus. We have had episodes during which a stomach bug went through our family twice, but never over and over like this. Does this sound like just a stomach virus, and do we need to just wait it out? Also, we ve been going back to regular food when we feel better. Is that a mistake? Thank you.
Fri, 14 Dec 2018
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi,

It is very likely they are all different episodes of viral infection. A viral infection does not repeat after the body has healed of it because the immune system that healed the body from the infection is going to prevent the infection come back, especially within a few weeks, it is impossible for the infection to return.

It is possible it is different viral infections happening each time and all the family gets infected, especially having children in day care increases the chances for such infections due to higher chance of contact with the viruses.

Another possible cause would be if a parasite is causing the symptoms to be on and off. In this case to rule it out you might need to have a stool for ova and parasite and a stool antigen for giardia.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Antoneta Zotaj,
General & Family Physician
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How Can Gastroenteritis Be Treated?

Hi, It is very likely they are all different episodes of viral infection. A viral infection does not repeat after the body has healed of it because the immune system that healed the body from the infection is going to prevent the infection come back, especially within a few weeks, it is impossible for the infection to return. It is possible it is different viral infections happening each time and all the family gets infected, especially having children in day care increases the chances for such infections due to higher chance of contact with the viruses. Another possible cause would be if a parasite is causing the symptoms to be on and off. In this case to rule it out you might need to have a stool for ova and parasite and a stool antigen for giardia. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Antoneta Zotaj, General & Family Physician