Possible gluten exposure in 4yo

[AlyO]

Hi everyone, this is my first time posting so please excuse if it’s in the wrong category. 
 

My 4 year old with celiac disease (gluten free one year) has had terrible diarrhea all day.  He hasn’t had a known gluten exposure. It is possibly viral or another bug. The rest of us seem to be just fine. Would that be an expected reaction to gluten for a someone with celiac disease?

Thanks in advance for your time and support. 

[trents]

Welcome to the forum, @AlyO!

Diarrhea is a classic symptom when exposed to gluten among those with celiac disease. But it could certainly be due to an intestinal bug or even food poisoning. Just because others in the family might not become ill doesn't rule out the possibility of a non-gluten intestinal pathogen of some kind. Different people will have immunes systems of different strengths and be susceptible to different things than others or get a different amount of exposure. If the diarrhea continues for several days, watch for signs of dehydration which happens quickly in little people.

[AlyO]

Thank you, Trents.  I appreciate your helpful and friendly reply. It seems more likely to be a bug.  It has been a pretty severe bought. I feel that I don’t have enough experience to know what signs my little one shows after exposure to gluten. 

[trents]

And the fact is, no two celiacs will necessarily respond the same to gluten exposure. Some are "silent" celiacs and don't experience obvious symptoms. But that doesn't mean no harm is being done to their gut. It just means it is subclinical.