Dr. Lynn Cates
Specializing in pediatric infectious diseases and childhood immunizations.
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 Ask Dr. Cates
Can Viruses Cause Vomiting for Six Weeks? | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Cates,
I have a 17-month-old daughter who has been vomiting off and on for the past six weeks. Doctors have said it is gastroenteritis but she has no diarrhea, fever, or other signs of discomfort. (Initially I believed this was a virus and until she got the virus, she could eat basically anything she wanted with the exception of milk.)
As long as she eats soupy foods and crackers, she keeps food down. She has been on this diet for six weeks. After 10 days of no vomiting, I tried a little rice and textured baby food. Again, she got sick. Once she eats anything with texture, she vomits about 8 to 12 hours later. She is currently on Zantac but that is not eliminating the problem. Also, she had corrective surgery for pyloric stenosis when she was three weeks old. Do you have any thoughts on a diagnosis? I have an appointment with a pediatric GI specialist but I have had to wait two weeks before getting in. — MonicaElise in Savannah | | | ANSWER |
July 22, 2002 | | | Dear MonicaElise,
I'm sorry to hear that your daughter has been having this problem for so long. It is certainly possible to have gastroenteritis with only vomiting or diarrhea, and no fever, but it is not likely that a viral infection is still causing her to vomit six weeks later.
Unfortunately, I can't make a diagnosis without seeing her, and probably doing some tests, but if I were evaluating her, I would definitely want to check and see if there is any way her surgery for pyloric stenosis could be related to her current problem. I am pleased that you have already scheduled an appointment with a pediatric gastroenterologist because this person will have the expertise and resources he needs to figure out what is going on. In the meantime, if you have trouble getting her to keep down calories and liquids, be sure to contact her regular provider to see if she needs to be seen before her appointment.
— by Lynn Cates, M.D., F.A.A.P. |
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