Virus Wont Go Away

[kirst4588]

I know that Celiac Disease can be initially triggered by a number of factors, to include a virus/flu, which is what happened with Justin, my toddler son.

Meaning, he was a-symptomatic prior to coming down with the flu.

When he was diagnosed we put him on the gluten free diet and he has been healthy ever since, with the exception of cases of exposure over the last year. But even in those cases, his symptoms go quickly.

Now my family came down again with a bug. My husband and eldest son and I all seemed to get over it after about 24 hours. But Justin has had the worst possible case of diarrhea for over a week, to the point where his bottom is blistered and raw, just like before his diagnosis.

Does a virus have the abilty to affect his antibodies/digestive system to a point where it is as if he was eating gluten?? If so, when is it going to go away?

I'll be calling the GI specialist on Monday, at this point, but just thought I'd ask and see if anyone can help

thanks

Kirst

[Merika]

Hi Kirst,

Well, I'm not sure about specific info, it's definitely worth checking out more....But I can tell you that it takes me a loooong time to recover from standard food poisoning or the stomach flu. My gut is still healing (1 1/2 yrs gluten-free). If your son has been gluten-free for a whole year, I would think at his age that he would be back to "normal", so I'm not sure if taking a long time to get over the flu would be normal. (??)

The other possibility is it's something unrelated to celiac or the flu. Is he getting his 2 yr molars? Teething can cause diahrea, diaper rash, and a host of problems, and often the worst is over after a week or so.

.02,

Merika

[kirst4588]

Merika,

I didn't think of the two year molars! Someone else suggested it might be a medicine or diet change, but that hasn't happen. I guess I just assume virus, as the rest of us (husband and eldest child) all had the virus (vomiting and fever), but like I said, we all were only sick for 24 hrs. He threw up on Wednesday, and has been esentially passing-water, on the hour, since! I'm up now 4:45 am, because he woke up screaming and I had the do the change-and-clean routine on him and his bed! He screams and flinches of the utter torture, as I try to get him all cleaned up - he is so raw and blistered at this point!

:-(

I don't know if I can wait until Monday for the GI, or if I'm going to have to go to the Urgent Care in the am?

I've wanted to just leave him in the bath tub to soak, but he "goes" while he's in there too!!!!

-Kirst

[KaitiUSA]

It may be something other then the virus but if it is the virus it may take him longer to get over it. Celiacs tend to have weaker immune systems and when they get viruses they tend to last longer.However, he has been gluten free for a while so I would think his immune system is stronger then it was. Make sure he is getting his vitamins. I would also consider getting some enzymes and probiotics which will help with immunity too.

[Carriefaith]

Does a virus have the abilty to affect his antibodies/digestive system to a point where it is as if he was eating gluten?? If so, when is it going to go away?

I'm not sure but I find that my immune system seems to be weaker than it was. I get nauseated very easily and often have a sore throat and fatigue. I drink tons of orange juice and eat lots of fruits and veggies and wash my hands a lot to keep from getting sick. Hope this helps.

[tarnalberry]

Oh yes, a virus can be that bad. But after having that particular problem so long, I would encourage you to take him to the doctor to investigate what exactly the problem is.

Of course, it's been a while, so I'm hoping that he's feeling better by now!

[cdford]

His immune system could just be struggling. We went through the same thing with our daughter. She got sick at the drop of a hat and took several times as long as her siblings to get over it.

The molars are a good thought. I thought of one other. Are you still nursing? If so, could you be passing something on that is triggering the stomach problems? I had to totally stop taking in dairy with mine because it made them sick. It took a while to figure it out.

One option to stop the diarrhea is to ask your doctor if you can give him/her a little Questran in some juice. It is nasty stuff, but it sure stops the diarrhea. I take it in orange juice, but that would be bad on the backside if he is already broken out.

[Guest Eloisa]

My son used to have these bouts with diarrhea when he was a toddler. I have to put him on the Brat diet. Juice is bad cause the accidity will cause more diarrhea. As for the bad rash the best thing is using lots of Balmex creme then sprinkle real cornstarch over it everytime he gets changed. I used Argo cornstarch brand. This stuff really works great for the diaper rash. Most of the time you can tell if they have a virus because of the smell of his diarrhea.

[cdford]

You are right, Eloisa. The smell is different if there is a virus whether it comes back up or out the other end.