Hi everyone. I have a question about my son. Before I start he has seen a doctor and they are trying to figure this out but I thought one for you might have an idea. He is going to be 3 next month. Around the beginning of May he got the Rotavirus. I never heard of it before he got it but I guess it is very common. We think my 16 month old, Joshua, got it first and gave it to Jesse (my oldest). He had to hospitalized for 4 days for dehydration and to treat this but he is OK for the most part now. The doctor said he could still have signs of it for 2 months. For that whole time he would complain his tummy hurts. Finally about 3 weeks ago he was running a low grade fever and had very loose stools. We had him checked out and they said just a bug. Well, now they are thinking he might still have this virus. He now seems fine other than the loose stools and he gets a massive diaper rash. The other possibilities is some sort of nutrition problem or he is all of a sudden allergic to milk. We have to stop giving him milk for 2 days to see if that clears it up. This is where we are now. Oh yeah, now my other son seems to have loose stools also.

I know this is probably limited info but does anyone have any thoughts? In case I don't respond for awhile, I may not be on after tonight until Monday night. Thanks.

Jduke, Let me say how sorry I am that you are going through a hard time with the kids right now. It is terrible being a parent and having to watch your child being sick. I know I would give anything if I could be sick instead. I had a problem with my 4 year old who got stung on BOTH index fingers by a wasp last night, so I can relate. Also, my oldest who is now 20 had rotavirus as a 3 year old. So this is what I learned...

Rota virus is transmitted via fecal/oral route. In simple terms this means that when you change diapers it can be transmitted. Make sure to wash your hands in antibacterial soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds then follow us with an antibacterial product like Germ-X.

It would be extremely helpful to know where you live due to the way certain viruses spread as well as certain "pests", please feel free to PM me with this and I will not disclose that information.

What concerns me is that rotavirus should only last a few days in people with healthy immune systems, now, don't get concerned, most 3 year olds do not have an immune system comperable to ours, so it tends to last longer in the youngins.

I am wondering if a second opinion is in order for your peace of mind.

I believe it is important that you read this. It is quite helpful. I actually gave you some unnecessary advice about the handwashing and it is all in this article.

J_9, I just pm'ed you. They did tell us to make sure we wash our hands every time, not that we don't anyway. I will read that as soon as I get a chance. Thanks.

Edit: I wonder if something else could have developed due to having rotavirus?

Okay, hun, my concern about rota virus is that it mostly occurs from November through April, it is rarely a summertime illness. It does happen but rarely.

Yes, you are in a good hospital, with great docs. Is he showing any other symptoms? No vomiting? Lethargy? Headache?

You say he has loose stools, when my oldest had it I would give him water and it would literally run right through.

I am sure to docs told you, you need to keep an eye on his skin. If it looks dried out. The symptoms include dry mouth, throat and mucous membranes (when he cries there would be no tears) sunken abdomen eyes or cheeks, no wet diapers for 3 hours or more?

If any of this happens you should go right back to that hospital. And again, yes they are some of the best in the country.

Are you able to give him pedialyte? I would ask if this is okay to help combat dehydration.

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Okay, hun, my concern about rota virus is that it mostly occurs from November through April, it is rarely a summertime illness. It does happen but rarely.

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Yeah I just read that in the article you gave me. That's weird.

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Yes, you are in a good hospital, with great docs. Is he showing any other symptoms? No vomiting? Lethargy? Headache

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None of them now. He did have a low grade fever (98-99) 3 weeks ago.

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You say he has loose stools, when my oldest had it I would give him water and it would literally run right through

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Nothing like when he originally had rotavirus. There is some consistency. That doctor actually saw it the first time and he was somewhat OK with it. Of course, he did say if it gets at all worse to call them.

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I am sure to docs told you, you need to keep an eye on his skin. If it looks dried out. The symptoms include dry mouth, throat and mucous membranes (when he cries there would be no tears) sunken abdomen eyes or cheeks, no wet diapers for 3 hours or more?

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Yes they didn't tell us specific like you are but they tell us about the wet diapers. Also, to make sure he isn't lathargic. Since we saw him once like this we would/should know the signs.

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Are you able to give him pedialyte? I would ask if this is okay to help combat dehydration.

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They didn't say. They did say no juice. I know pedialyte isn't juice but they limited him to only 16oz water a day for a couple days.

What other foods and drink is he allowed to have? I would try to stay away from fruits as fruit can cause loose stools like this.

I am curious why they limited him to only that amount of fluid.

They said he can stay on his regular diet. They didn't say anything about food. They only said to stay away from milk. This is so they can rule out lactose intolerance -- I believe. I am not sure why the fluid. We were concerned because we didn't want him to be dehydrated. We are watching him closely. Thanks for keeping with me and giving me the info.

I just found out that my youngest now has a rash that has gone up to his neck. So not only does he have loose stools and diaper rash, he's got this. My wife is calling the on call doctor now.

Hope everything is well. You can give a bath with a little bit of baking soda in the water if the rash is itchy. I don't like to give Benadryl unless I HAVE to, but this is a safe and effective rash/itch helper.

For diaper rash you can put corn starch on, that will help dry the little bumps on the hiney.

Thanks a bunch. We have been slathering him with Desitin. I found out that the rash my younger son has is a summertime virus. Maybe you know the name. My wife said it was something with an echo... something. We will try the bath. Anything to sooth him.

Desitin is okay. I NEVER used it but some people swear by it. I try to go eau-natural...

Baking soda in the bath - corn starch for diaper rashes (works better and is less stinkier than Desitin)

Summertime rash echo something? Don't know of that one, get me the name if you can.

If he is itching profusely you may need to go on with some Benadryl if the bath does not work, just a little though. Benadryl will help him get some sleep and will get rid of any itching or hives.

Itching is caused by your body releasing histamine, this is when your body senses something new. Sometimes you have to use an antihistamine like benadryl. Benadryl will stop the itching effects of an over-stimulation of histamine.

Have you used any new detergents, fabric softeners, soap, shampoo, cleaning products? All of this can cause this kind of reaction. My 4 year old had one about 3 months ago and it was caused by a new cleaning crew at his preschool. I had to use the baking soda and benadryl, next morning he was fine.

Keep me updated. Good luck.

J_9, we haven't changed detergents. The ras for my youngest with the summertime virus has gotten much better. Still has little bit of a loose stool. Sorry I don't know the name and it might be hard to pinpoint from the doctor we talked to.

My oldest since we have not given him milk still has the same stools as before. He has been peeing less. He peed once this morning and once this afternoon and that usually isn't the case. He can leak through diapers. Could we have been giving him too much water before? We usually give him about 4 oz when he wakes up and 4-6 oz of milk at every meal and probably 4 oz in the afternoon. He uis constantly asking for water so we just give hm a swallows worth. Anyway, He hasn't shown any signs of dehydration. His naps have been only 1 hour but that can be due to his age. His stools has been less and less since not giving him so much water. For example, yesterday he pooped twice in the morning then not again until this morning. He was filling his diapers a few times a day at least. Well, we won't be hearing from the resident until Tuesday unless something else developes. In the mean time, we might be slowly introducing milk again and see what happens. This afternoon will be 2 days not having milk. I will let you know if anything changes. Thanks.

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Originally postd by jduke44

J_9, we haven't changed detergents. The ras for my youngest with the summertime virus has gotten much better. Still has little bit of a loose stool. Sorry I don't know the name and it might be hard to pinpoint from the doctor we talked to.

My oldest since we have not given him milk still has the same stools as before. He has been peeing less. He peed once this morning and once this afternoon and that usually isn't the case. He can leak through diapers. Could we have been giving him too much water before? We usually give him about 4 oz when he wakes up and 4-6 oz of milk at every meal and probably 4 oz in the afternoon. He uis constantly asking for water so we just give hm a swallows worth. Anyways, He hasn't shown any signs of dehydration. His naps have been only 1 hour but that can be due to his age. His stools has been less and less since not giving him so much water. For example, yesterday he pooped twice in the morning then not again til this morning. He was filling his diapers a few times a day at least. Well, we won't be hearing from the resident until Tuesday unless something else developes. In the mean time, we might be slowly introducing milk again and see what happens. This afternoon will be 2 days not having milk. I will let you know if anything changes. Thanks.

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Glad that the rash is getting better.

As for the older one I do not think that too much water will cause the loose stools that you speak of, however, many fruit juices will cause this. But not enough WILL cause dehydration. The short naps could just be symptomatic of the illness or his age. My 4 year old sleeps about 2 hours.

I am glad to hear his stools are getting fewer and fewer, but my concern is the consistency of the stool, as well as the fact that urination has slowed down also. What fluids are you giving besides water?

You really need to look at the whole healthy picture right now. Think and try to remember if he has 1 or 2 stools a day or even every other day when he is well. We need to take into account his food and fluid intake when well also. And take it from there, almost like backtracking. Also, is he on any antibiotics?

The reason I ask about antibiotics is that some are known to cause loose stools and many docs still believe in antibiotics for a virus if it does not clear up on its own.

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As for the older one I do not think that too much water will cause the loose stools that you speak of, however, many fruit juices will cause this. But not enough WILL cause dehydration. The short naps could just be symptomatic of the illness or his age. My 4 year old sleeps about 2 hours

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We are not giving him fruit per doctor's orders. We are trying to obey the doctor about the amoutn of water and that is all he said to give. The resident is only in in Tuesdays and Thursdays and that si who is really on the case. We are a little concerned about the amount of water also with the dehydration. We decided that we are going to add a little more water during the day but keep off the milk until we are sure.

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I am glad to hear his stools are getting fewer and fewer, but my concern is the consistency of the stool, as well as the fact that urination has slowed down also. What fluids are you giving besides water?

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The stool was a little more consistency this afternoon but it looked kind of weird. Sorry I can't explain it but it definitely doesn't look like normal. Hopefully that means he getting back to normal.

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You really need to look at the whole healthy picture right now. Think and try to remember if he has 1 or 2 stools a day or even every other day when he is well. We need to take into account his food and fluid intake when well also. And take it from there, almost like backtracking. Also, is he on any antibiotics? The reason I ask about antibiotics is that some are known to cause loose stools and many docs still believe in antibiotics for a virus if it does not clear up on its own.

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He usually has 1 or two stools a day. He seems to be healthy and like normal except for his stools. That has been the main concern after 2 weeks into this. No they don't usually give antibiotics for virus's. MAtter of fact they have signs not to force a doctor to give them unnecessarily.

Thanks for keeping me updated with info. This is prbably hard to diagnose and we are trying our best to keep track of the symptons.

Is he drinking anything besides water?

No. The doctor only wanted him to drink water.

Duke, I would really be asking some major questions if this is the case. Only a few ounces of water a few times a day coupled with diarrhea can cause some major dehydration.

He really needs to get some electrolytes in his system like pedialyte. Do not use gatoraide it is too strong for his young system.

Give him some liquid jello, you know, still a little warm and not jelled all the way. You can even put some ice it to cool it but have him drink it before it jells. If he likes jello let him eat ton of it.

But this little amount of water really makes me cautious. He NEEDS more fluid in his system.

I appreciate your concern. We have asked in the past(maybe ayear ago) how much water should he be drinking and no one seems to want to answer this. The only other thing we have ever given him was milk unless he was vomitting then it would be the pedialyte. We are not big on juices and things except for once in a while and the doctors seem OK with that. Anyway, that was just a side note. He seems fine up to this point as far as keeping him hydrated. He is only going 1 to 2 times a day which is normal for him and his stool seems to be the same as yesterday which is soft but nor diarrhea. The funny thing is (not that it is funny) my youngest seems to have the same stool as Jesse (my oldest) and has been going more frequently. We haven't limited his drinking which is about 5-6 cups a day (maybe a little less). We are watching him very closely and will find out what this all means when we talk to the doctor. We have decided to try giving Jesse 2% milk. Some say that if whole milk bothers their stomachs, that 2 % helps. We are going to try that this afternoon or tonight. Thanks again for your help. I will keep you updated.

Juices are verey beneficial for certain vitamins. I prefer Juicy Juice since it is 100% fruit juice, does not look real appetizing, but the kids love it.

Stay away from apple juice completely, not good on tummies or teeth. But by giving milk and water alone some important vitamins are being lost. When I give juice I give it 1/2 with water so that there are less acids.

Stools sound better. Just remember whatever is happening to one child usually happens to both. This does not necessarily mean sick. Mothers and daughters, sisters, or even best friends tend to have their menses around the same time. This sort of thing happens with young siblings also. So this may be happening with the stool.

I would suggest you ask your doc about juice. Unless vitamins are given they are lacking certain vitamins that only fruit or juice can give. Just DO NOT give juice in a bottle. I only begin to introduce juice when I am introducing a sippy cup. Makes the transition muck easier.

Oh OK. That's good to know about juice. The doctor's weren't too pushy about juice but they did mention it. My wife wasn't too big on it because of the sugar. I feel like I am going back to fundamentals but how is OJ?

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Stools sound better. Just remember whatever is happening to one child usually happens to both. This does not necessarily mean sick. Mothers and daughters, sisters, or even best friends tend to have their menses around the same time. This sort of thing happens with young siblings also. So this may be happening with the stool.

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So are you saying that Joshua may not be sick but showing the same symptoms as Jesse? That's interesting, I never heard of that. I did with husbands and wives but that's it.

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I would suggest you ask your doc about juice. Unless vitamins are given they are lacking certain vitamins that only fruit or juice can give. Just DO NOT give juice in a bottle. I only begin to introduce juice when I am introducing a sippy cup. Makes the transition muck easier.

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I don't remember but I thnk at one time they did have us give them vitamin supplement (liquid form). We kept forgetting to give that to them. We were getting Juicy Juice through a gov program we were able to receive but when that ended it got too expensive. I'll take your advice on that. Well, the doctor should be calling us back on Tuesdya so hopefully he will give us more info. I'll let you know what we find out.