My step-son is very sick. could you help?

Question

he has had diarehia and vomiting for on and off 12 days with periods of feeling better and getting so sick he cant move. we took him to the ER and they done lots of tests and told us it was just a viral infection. I am leaning to the fact that it might be something serious and not a virus. Does someone have any info that might point to another cause? Thanx

Answer 1

Why is it you don't seem to think a viral infection id serious? Menigitis, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Influenza A, Ebola, Hepatitis B virus, HIV......these are all very serious viral infections.

I recommend you return to a doctor and ask for a stool sample to be taken. Vomiting and diarhoea over 12 days to me would suggest there is a toxin of most likely bacterial origin.

Answer 2

I don't know how old your stepson is, but, these CAN be the symptoms of early HIV. This is easy to detect: Go to the Public Health Dept and have him tested. There are so many things that cause these symptoms, that I really do not want you to think that's all it could be. Obviously, the antibiotics he is on, are not working for what it wrong with him. This is not abormal if it is just a virus (forgive the JUST)...............he could have ecoli from undercooked meat, or from just not washing his hands before he ate. I had ecoli and the antibiotic had to be changed 3 times, after a culture was made of my urine. Get a culture done of his urine, and see what the culture says WILL work on your stepson. I believe that HIV tests are really good for anyone to take, since Hep C and HIV are becoming so plentiful in the United States. Both need to be watched closely. What we do not know scares us the most...........so, find out what is wrong by testing the cultures and you will probably be able to relax a lot. It could be the flu like bug that is going around, and it could be more serious than even that. Not knowing what it is, for sure, is the scarry part. Find out what it is by having a culture done. Many clinics will do this for MediCal patients and if you have insurance, use that, if you have nothing in the way of insurances, find a free clinic. The important thing is to find out WHAT it really is. You sound like a very loving step mother to me! I like the way you question the doctor's idea of a flu type virus. It's good to question when things just don't 'fit' what the doctor has said!

Answer 3

The most common thing that causes long-term diarrhea and vomiting, along with symptom-free periods is Giardia. Giardia infections can be identified through examination of a stool sample, but sometimes it doesn't show up. Sometimes, doctors will just use a broad-spectrum antibiotic such as Cipro to eliminate any possibility of an intestinal parasite or infection..

Answer 4

Viruses usually do not cause problems for 12 days, but they can actually last 2 weeks. Secondly, it is important that you control his dehydration with the vomiting and diarrhea with something with electrolytes and water (i.e. pedialyte). Fruit juices (especially apple and grape) should be avoided because they are too concentrated and make the diarrhea worse. I think if you are still worried you should call your pediatrician or take him back to the ER. Doctors make mistakes and they can miss things, but ultimately you have to live with the consequences.

You should call your physician immediately:
-There are signs of dehydration (no urine in more than 12 hours, very dry mouth, no tears).
-Any blood appears in the diarrhea.
-The diarrhea is severe (more than 8 BMs in the last 8 hours).
-The diarrhea is watery AND your child also vomits repeatedly.
-Your child starts acting very sick.

Call during office hours if:
Mucus or pus appears in the BMs.
-A fever lasts more than 3 days.
-Mild diarrhea lasts more than 2 weeks.
-You have other concerns or questions.

Answer 5

Is there something or someone bothering him that could give him some kind of anxiety because I have bad anxiety and if I have to leave my kids I get real sick such as diarrhea like when I would go to work etc but take him back to the doctor for sure.And when I say sick I mean I would be sick for weeks too so you might want to ask him some questions.

Answer 6

I am NOT a doctor BUT perhaps they can consider an ultrasound to determine if there is a bowel obstruction? That's what I could think, it seems too long for the regular stomach virus going around. Be persistent, unless they've done this test already. Good luck.

Answer 7

Continous diarrhea & vomiting is already a serious thing. Why wait for 12 day?! He might have a food poisoning or serious stomach infection. It will lead to dehydration and death if not given the right medical interventions. I hope he get well real soon. (- -,)

Answer 8

If he was my son, I'd take him back to HIS doctor. If you need to go back to an ER, take him to the same one so his records are readily available. 12 days is a long time for this to last. They might want to do stool specimens to make sure it's not food poisoning. Did you hear about the catalope and p=nut butter scare?

Answer 9

Take him to a different hospital where they can do lots of tests to find out exactly what's wrong and how to treat it. I had to go to a city hospital because we live in a suburb and i was extremely ill and the hospital we have didn't know what was wrong. It turns out that i had mono (and not from kissing anyone either). So take him to a better hospital. Good Luck. I give you all of my best wishes.

Answer 10

Since they have tested and concluded that it is a viral infection, it is better to assume that they could be right. His problem may be due to loss of fluids and electrolytes. So, give him oral rehydration solution (combination of potassium and sodium salts and glucose) or intravenous drip if needed. Sending him Reiki for his speedy recovery, and with best wishes,