Hello, I am wondering if anyone else has had their child refuse to eat. My 6 year old was sick for the past week first running a fever up to 103F accompanied by a sore throat. Then the fever went away and a slight rash appeared which cleared up in about 18 hrs. No he is back to normal in all physical ways, except that he has a runny nose and that he will not eat anything, he says everything tastes nasty. He will drink and does eat things like yogurt and pudding. He does not act sick anymore and plays normally. Wondering if I should take him to the doctor or is this still the remainder of what ever bug he caught. How many days can a child go without really eating before it seriously affects them? Thanks for any info
2006-11-22 08:43:02 · 12 answers · asked by keygirlpink 1 in Health ➔ Other - Health
He probably had a sore throat from sinus drainage from a sinus infection. There are lots of bugs that will actually hinder a person's sense of smell.
Unfortunately, when you can't smell, you don't taste things either, or they taste bad. It can go on for a month after he recovers from a bug.
Try to make him drink hot liquids. Would he like ramen noodles with broth? Kids usually like those long noodles. Or a fun campbells soup with star or alphabet noodles.
Keep a humidifier in his room, or wherever he is. Let him hang out in the steamy bathroom to moisten his nasal passages. Will he not even touch pizza or spaghetti? Usually that stuff has enough flavor it'll reach his tastebuds...at least with the acidity of the tomatoes. Give him saline nasal drops too.
If he is losing weight, I would take him to the doc....otherwise just make sure he is getting all the fluids and calories that he can.
2006-11-22 08:53:32 · answer #1 · answered by gg 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Wow this sounds like a 6 year old period! Without even being sick. They will eat when they are hungry. Keep offering food, maybe even ask him to assist you in making something. As long as the fluids are getting into him and he isn't dehydrated no worries. He may have had a sore scratchy throat and he is afraid it will still hurt. I still remember when I was a kid, not wanting to eat because you don't know if it will still hurt. I bet that is it, seeing as you mentioned he was sick. He will eat eventually. By the way people have went over a week without water. He will be fine, if you want give him a vitamin supplement. Also Pediasure and Boost are available.
2006-11-22 08:49:29 · answer #2 · answered by Michelle 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The same thing happened to me when I was a kid with the flu, things just tasted horrible...I dont remember how long it lasted, but I am fine :) as long as he's still consuming food of some sort, I think he should be fine...if it lasts more than a few weeks I'd ask a doctor or take him in for an exam, but it's not life threatening :)
2006-11-22 08:47:43 · answer #3 · answered by the WOG 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Check with your doctor of course. My dad was sick for quite some time and was on all kinds of meds. Then he stopped eating because he said everything tatsted awful. It turned out he had thrush or some yeast like infection that you can get in your mouth and throat, especially after illnesses.
2006-11-22 09:19:58 · answer #4 · answered by Sunshine 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would take him to the doctor at this point because he could have an infection in his body that could cause loss of appetite. He may appear well but there are plenty of infections that have minimal side effects.
2006-11-22 09:06:46 · answer #5 · answered by Maizy * 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
He'll eat when he gets hungry. Leave him be and don't try to force food on him. Kids haven't learned all the bad habits adults have regarding eating when they AREN'T hungry. He'll eat when he's ready to.
2006-11-22 08:49:22 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it's a after-effect of being sick for so long. He's eating yogurt, that's good for him, and as long as he's drinking enough fluids, he should be OK.
2006-11-22 08:44:57 · answer #7 · answered by Munya Says: DUH! 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When he gets hungry enough , he will eat. Just keep plenty of healthy snacks on hand until his appitite comes back.
2006-11-22 08:52:40 · answer #8 · answered by S.A.M. Gunner 7212 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He'll eat when he gets hungry. Continue to offer food and lots of beverages to keep him hydrated.
2006-11-22 08:45:19 · answer #9 · answered by kc_warpaint 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if he doesn't eat for like four days then go see what's up but sometime you'll get that mucas **** in your throat and it does make things taste kinda grody. so it's probably not that big of a deal, eventually he'll get hingry and eat
2006-11-22 08:52:40 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋