Recently, my baby contracted norovirus, which led to a challenging experience. It all began at a kids’ cafe, where an elderly woman handed out strawberries to the children. My baby took one, and I shared it with him. Later, I became sick as well, and though I can’t be certain, I suspect the strawberries might have been the source. Here’s what happened and what I learned about handling norovirus in babies.
1. The Beginning of Norovirus – Suddenly, He Started Vomiting
That evening, my baby suddenly started vomiting. At first, I thought it was just a one-off occurrence, but when I laid him down again, he vomited once more. This cycle continued for a total of six times, and by the end, only yellow liquid came out. Worried, I tried giving him water, but even that came back up.
Around 2 AM, I seriously considered going to the ER. However, I was told that there was no pediatrician available to assist. As I stood by, my baby vomited again, but strangely, he had no fever or diarrhea. He wasn’t in terrible condition, but the vomiting seemed to take a toll on him, and he cried out of discomfort. Still, he calmed down quickly.
By the time I had him ready to go to the hospital, he had fallen into a deep sleep and stopped vomiting. I decided it was better to let him rest rather than disturb him for treatment that wouldn’t have helped much anyway.
2. The Next Day – Diarrhea Started
The following morning, my baby developed diarrhea. We visited the doctor and received medication, but in the evening, his fever spiked to 38.6°C (101.5°F). The fever wouldn’t subside throughout the night, and my baby clung to me, clearly in pain. As a parent, it was heartbreaking to see my baby suffer this way. I couldn’t help but imagine how much more difficult it must have been for him.
3. Then It Was My Turn
Fortunately, while my baby was struggling, I felt fine. But on the third day, as my baby’s condition improved, I started to feel sick myself. I felt nauseous, but I didn’t vomit or have diarrhea. Instead, I experienced intense chills and spent the entire day lying down. The next day, I was miraculously feeling better.
4. The Diarrhea Won’t Stop
My baby’s diarrhea continued. Concerned that it could be harmful if prolonged, I bought special diarrhea formula and began feeding it to him. However, this led to constipation. So, I switched back to regular formula, but the diarrhea returned. I took him to the doctor again, who explained that his intestines were weakened and struggling to break down lactose. They prescribed probiotics and other medications to help restore his gut health.
The diarrhea formula was available at Coupang, pharmacies, and E-Mart, but it wasn’t sold at Homeplus. The formula had a banana flavor, which my baby seemed to tolerate well. The doctor said diarrhea could last 1-2 weeks, so we had to be patient.
Luckily, my baby continued eating his solid food without any trouble. The doctor advised not to rely too much on the diarrhea formula, as it’s low in nutrients. Instead, I used it intermittently, and this helped reduce the frequency of the diarrhea.
5. What Helped During This Time
- When vomiting is severe, give small sips of water frequently. If you give too much at once, it will be thrown up.
- For fever, avoid overdressing your baby. Use a lukewarm damp cloth to wipe their body, which can help bring down the temperature.
- Diarrhea formula should not be used for long periods. It’s important to give it as a supplement, not as a full meal replacement.
- For solids, give your baby foods they enjoy. Even if porridge is suggested, my baby didn’t want it. The key is to give what they will eat.
- Foods like bananas, potatoes, and carrots are good for the gut. Avoid greasy foods or dairy products, as they can irritate the stomach.
6. Preventing Norovirus
- Handwashing is essential! Ensure that everyone washes their hands thoroughly before eating and after going outside or using the bathroom.
- Be cautious about food in public places like kids’ cafes. Avoid giving your baby food from strangers or places where hygiene may be questionable.
- Give probiotics to your baby. Probiotics are important for gut health and can help your baby’s digestive system stay strong.
- Be mindful of anyone around you showing similar symptoms. Norovirus is highly contagious and can spread quickly, affecting both babies and adults.
Through this experience, I learned just how challenging norovirus can be. Especially when your baby is sick, it can feel like the entire family is affected. The most important lesson I took away from this experience was the need to take care of myself while also caring for my baby. If you’re a parent facing a similar situation, I hope this information and my story can offer some guidance and help you navigate the illness.