rotavirus question?

Question

my 8 mont old daughter has been having diarrhea for along time. she went to the pediatrician and he just called it an intestinal virus. is it possible it is rotavirus? it keeps coming back and it gets really bad. i keep having to switch her to isomil instead to get it under control. she doesn't throw up, it's just diarrhea. right now i don't have my car so i can't take her to the doctor until at least next week when i hope my car wil be done getting fixed. she doesn't have the diarrhea att he moment but i am sure it will be back. her diet is pretty regular now that i know what she likes. she drinks similac, doesn't like baby cereal at all. eats fruits and vegetables, and limited variety of dinners (she doesn't like anything with more than 2 or 3 ingredients).

Answer 1

there are several viruses that cause gastroenteritis. These include rotavirus, norovirus (norwalk virus), adenovirus type 40 and 41 (infantile gastroenteritis). They have quite similar symptoms (diarrhoea, vomiting) It can also be bacterial such as E. Coli (EPEC)(enteropathogenic e.coli which also causes infantile gastroenteritis).

Other then diet, ensure that she has alot of fluids to replace her lost fluids. Ensure that fluids have salts, water and sugar (they aid in water absorption). Also ensure there is proper hygiene like washing the vegetables, cleaning the feeding bottles and such. Usually the gastroenteritis is self limiting.

Answer 2

Try pushing mashed potatoes, blended rice or rice cereal, applesauce, and bits of plain toast soaked in something other than formula or milk or applejuice. This is something like the "BRAT" diet. We just went through this with my son who is 21 months. They figured his was RSV since his diapers were yellow instead of bright green. The starch from the potatoes will help to heal his digestive system by soothing it. You could even try boiling the potatoes and then saving the water and cooling it a little, enough so she can drink it. It sounds old fashioned, but it works if you can get them to drink it. Try looking up the BRAT diet on the computer. It is a good sign that she is still eating and drinking. You might also try switching the formula to a more gentle one, not that Similac isn't great, that's what we used and did just fine. Sometimes simple changes in dair products can also help. It could be that she just doesn't nee the dairy for a few days either, I don't know. But try some of these suggestions. Good luck, I hope you and her both feel better soon.

Answer 3

It sounds like she may have become intolerant of the Similac. Try giving her Isomil exclusively and see how she does. Sometimes after an infection with an intestinal virus, the body becomes sensitive to dairy products. And during an episode with diarrhea, make sure she is getting plenty of fluids. As long as she is active and playful, no fever or low-grade fever and having wet diapers, she is fine.