When to take infant to ER?

[EmmaGM]

I don't believe in going to the emergency room unless its an emergency. My son had no fever, vomiting about an hour, and was acting otherwise normal. Since he's my first I was simply asking for clarification for what signs to watch for. Like I said in my op I was feeling very paranoid this is the first time he's ever been sick.

[rileykidmama]

I agree with the plain pedialyte. E has done this a bunch of times. Only time and fluids. So sorry; no fun!

[mekat]

Originally Posted by EmmaGM I don't believe in going to the emergency room unless its an emergency. My son had no fever, vomiting about an hour, and was acting otherwise normal. Since he's my first I was simply asking for clarification for what signs to watch for. Like I said in my op I was feeling very paranoid this is the first time he's ever been sick.

Understandable, I am glad he is doing better. Whenever my son (and my only child) used to get sick his first year I sat by his bed and cried because I would be so worried. So a little worry IMO is normal.

[somo_chickenlady]

Originally Posted by mekat A hospital is a wonderful place to go when you need that level of help but unnecessarily taking a sick child with an immune system already taxed from fighting one pathogen into a room swimming with highly virulent pathogens is not a good idea.

Agree. Besides, an ER visit is quite costly, especially if more than likely they would just tell you to go home and keep an eye on him. We recently had to take our DS to the ER for a severe cut on his finger, but they were unable to stitch it. All they did was put a bandaid on it, then charged us $650. Not everyone can afford to run to the ER for every little thing.

Originally Posted by raymark They are only trained to give advise based on the info presented during the call. They are not able to mind read & understand potentially significant symptoms or medical history that the caller forgot, failed to notice themselves, or did not know to mention. And like any other profession, there are those who truly are horrible at their job, just having a bad night, or in a rush to finish with the current call so they can take a break & check on their own kids. The op stated that she didn't even fully understand the advise that was given to her by the nurse line. The flu is not in full swing in my location, our ERs are not busy, and only a professional can diagnose the influenza virus. Was the ops previous bout with influenza actually diagnosed - perhaps it was salmonella? Regardless, having it yourself does not mean that when your child later becomes ill that your child has the same infection or that your child's body is fighting it the same way. Infants are unable to touch most germy objects in a waiting room & it is so easy to request a face mask before actually entering any waiting room or to buy one on you way there to prevent your germs from spreading to others & theirs from spreading to you. I have no understanding of people avoiding medical assistance because of potentially becomming infected with something else. Just use common sense, take basic protective precautions, wash your hands a lot, and watch that your care provider washes hands every time before touching your child. The op did not state the infants body temp, where he falls within weight & height charts for his age, if he is on any medications, or a host of other very important information - yet you feel confident in telling her to avoid the ER???

Influenza does not cause vomiting...but that is beside the point. Simply going off the fact that his grandparents AND his mother previously had the same issue, most doctors would assume it is the same thing anyway. Yes, I do feel confident in saying that I would not take my child to the doctor. She has the ability to make a decision on her own whether or not she wants to take her child. The ER is for emergencies, and IMO based on his symptoms alone, I wouldn't consider it to be an emergency (at least at the time of my post).

Originally Posted by EmmaGM DS seems to have gotten through the worst of it. His vomiting only lasted about 3 hours (it was 14 hours for me and 2 days for my in-laws whom I got it from) and he slept most of the night on papas chest. I'm giving him diluted formula now (only an ounce at a time) and letting him comfort nurse though I'm almost positive I'm dry.

I'm glad he is starting to feel better!!!

[keen1981]

When my boys got sick in 2009, they were 1 and 2.5. I think.. And dad had a stomach bug one night and so did his entire command. The families all got it. It was horrid. They puked for almost two weeks. But the baby would nurse and the oldest would drink. They literally lived off that and their body fat. We took the baby in, on around day 4. He was so pale. The fevers were causing me to go through bottles of Tylenol/ Motrin. Baby had lost 1 lb though. And they said he should run its course as long As he was not glassy eyed or too tired to drink. By day 10 he was still throwing up frequently (still nursing like a damn champ) I had the bug in the meantime and we all lived on the living room floor. I went thru piles of disposables and an insane amount of towels/ blankets. Day 10 we took him in again. He lost weight. He was down to 16lbs and was looking graunt. At that point they gave him a medicine to stop the puking. But during the stomach bug time- they want the bug to work it's way out. What exactly can the ER do? Administer fluids. Well, if he can take fluids every few hours, then he is okay. They can give meds. Giving meds isn't the best thing for the stomach bug. So-- I felt completely fine saying- give it time. I don't rush to
The ER for much anymore. Especially when you KNOW what it is.

[Vivhop98]

I can understand you being more cautious since he is your first baby. Our pediatrician was always very helpful and told us to use the e.r with an infant and a tummy bug if they weren't having a diaper 3x a day or every 8 hours. It doesn't seem like the nurse was very specific, but if your baby stops having a wet diaper, he could get dehydrated. Glad he is feeling better!