What can cause a child to become sick literally all of a sudden?

Question

If the child has been up playing all day and has been fine and all of a sudden gets sick to their tummy and gags a little, complains of a sore throat and tummy ache and falls asleep, what could this be? Could it be from eating alot of different foods in one day? We usually have a very healthy diet but we had food left over from the 4th of july and she has had boiled peanuts and brownies today and she isn't used to having much junk food. She is 3 years old and has never been sick and she has not been exposed to anyone outside of our home as I am a stay home mom. She is not running a fever or anything? Am I being overly paranoid?

Wow, thanks guys. I am not nearly as stressed out now after reading your answers. She threw up and now she is asleep. I think it was just the excitement and food. Thanks so much. I am gonna let her rest. Mick, your answer was hilarious. I have a 12 year old daughter that has pulled the "everything hurts and everything is wrong" with me to get out of going to school. They will try anything, but what is so bad is I homeschooled this past year and she pulled the same stuff to get out of doing her lessons at home. Now, that is bad!!! :0)

Answer 1

I have four kids, and I have learned something about them and sickness. Small ones get feeling bad after a bit too much excitement, sun, tiredness, strange foods. Let them sleep, give them a tylenol (if they have leg pain from too much walking or running) and a warm glass of milk, and it usually goes away.

A kid that complains of many symptoms is usually just feeling tired and overwhelmed or doesn't want to go to school. When they are really sick, they are usually more specific about one thing - "Mommy, my tummy really hurt. I am going to throw up." and they stick with one or two simple symptoms.

My five year old, when he did not want to go to school was funny, "Mommy, I am sick. My tummy hurts, my throat hurts, my ankle is sprained, my head hurts, I have a hot fever, my ears are making a funny sound, my tooth is coming out........"

My doctor said to try to get them to point with one finger to the pain. It helps you see where it is and if it is really there. Also, for the too tired tummy ache, just sitting with them and rubbing their tunny will often help them settle down. If she is sleeping, let her rest. She is probably just tired. Curl up next to her and rest, too. That way you will know if things change. If she had a fever, then I would think sickness. This sounds like the end of an exciting day.

Answer 2

it was the excitement of the day and she was not use to the food for the fourth and some times being out in the sun for a long time can cause kids to get sick and you are not overly paranoid.

Answer 3

I would say that the unusual foods, activity, and the brownies (which are, after all, rich) are what are making her feel bad. She should be okay soon.

Now- I love brownies. But a couple of times they made me ill when I was a wee not much bigger than that.

Answer 4

ugh, boiled peanuts. That would do it I think. gross.