Urgent Concerns About My Son's Health: Vomiting and Diarrhea for Over a Week
Subject: Seeking Advice on My Son's Condition I hope I'm posting in the right forum for this. My 11-year-old son, who is autistic, has been experiencing severe vomiting and diarrhea since last Monday. The trouble began after he ate a chicken quesadilla from Taco Bell last Sunday evening. He awoke the next morning with violent diarrhea that persisted throughout the day. By the night, he started to vomit as well. This pattern continued into Tuesday morning; however, he seemed fine for most of the day only to have the diarrhea and vomiting return by evening. For the entire week, he exhibited sickness in the mornings and evenings, while feeling relatively okay during midday. By Friday, we took him to see the doctor, who suggested it was likely viral and prescribed ondansetron for his nausea. I was advised to administer Imodium, which unfortunately hasn’t provided any relief. Over the weekend, my son showed signs of improvement—no vomiting and only occasional diarrhea, with some normal bowel movements as well. We visited the zoo on Sunday, where he appeared to enjoy himself. However, Monday marked his first day back at school. He woke up feeling great, without any diarrhea, and was looking forward to the day. When I picked him up, his teachers mentioned he had an excellent day but wouldn't eat (which isn’t out of the ordinary for him since he’s a very picky eater due to his autism). But by that evening, he was back to vomiting and had even more severe diarrhea. By Tuesday evening, his condition worsened; he was vomiting even while half asleep and suffered several accidents at night. We returned to the doctor again yesterday. This time, he suspected a bacterial gastrointestinal infection and prescribed cefprozil, while advising me to double the ondansetron dosage and continue with Imodium. If there’s no improvement by Friday, he mentioned the possibility of conducting stool tests. Today, however, there has been little change in his condition; he has vomited a significant amount of his antibiotic and Imodium. I'm feeling quite anxious about his health right now. I'm contemplating whether a trip to the hospital is warranted. I realize this might be graphic, but the extent of his diarrhea suggests he’s likely dehydrated, especially since most food or liquid I manage to get into him quickly comes back up. I have expressed my concerns about taking him to the ER to my parents and fiancée, but they believe it’s unnecessary and that it won’t help. I'm feeling stuck as nothing seems to be working, and he’s missed almost all of his first week back at school. So, should I take him to the hospital or hold off for now? I appreciate any guidance or advice you may have. Thank you!
Answers (1)
8/14/2025, 9:50:54 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're facing a very challenging situation with your son's health, and I understand your concern, especially considering the severity and duration of his symptoms. Based on what you've described, your son's ongoing vomiting and diarrhea, combined with difficulty keeping fluids down, raise significant concerns about dehydration and warrant close attention.
Key Points:
- Potential Dehydration: Given the symptoms you’ve described, it's crucial to assess if your son is showing signs of dehydration. Look for symptoms like dry mouth, reduced urination, dizziness, or lethargy.
- Persistent and Worsening Symptoms: Since he is still experiencing severe vomiting and diarrhea despite medication, this indicates that his condition requires further assessment.
- Need for Immediate Care: Your instincts regarding seeking help are valid, especially since he is unable to keep medications or fluids down.
Next Steps:
-
Evaluate for Dehydration:
- Monitor Symptoms: Check for signs such as dry lips, decreased urination (fewer than 2-3 wet diapers a day), and excessive sleepiness or irritability.
- Try giving him small sips of an oral rehydration solution (like Pedialyte) if possible. Even tiny amounts can help.
-
Seek Immediate Care:
- Given the continued vomiting, diarrhea, and potential for dehydration, it would be best to take your son to the hospital. The medical team can perform a thorough examination, provide intravenous hydration if needed, and potentially conduct tests to determine the exact cause of his symptoms.
- You should also inform the medical staff about his recent antibiotic use and any medications he’s currently taking.
-
Prepare for the Visit:
- Make a list of the symptoms you've observed, the medications he has been prescribed, and how often he has been experiencing vomiting and diarrhea. This information will be useful for the healthcare providers.
Summary:
While it may feel like a hard decision, your son’s health and hydration status are priority concerns that must be addressed promptly. Taking him to the hospital will ensure he receives the care that might be essential at this point. Trust your instincts as a caregiver—you know him best, and taking action is the right choice when his symptoms persist and worsen.
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