Q: Why am I constantly sick with colds and stomach issues after my child started daycare?

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Question:

I am a 34-year-old mother to an infant who was born last September. My son started daycare in April and has been sleeping well, so I am not sleep-deprived. I have been taking sertraline for anxiety since 2019.

My concern is that I have been unwell almost constantly since February of this year. It began with several episodes of what seemed like a stomach bug or food poisoning, involving severe vomiting and diarrhea, occurring in February, March, and April. In between these acute episodes, I've had countless weeks of stomach pain, cramping, and persistent diarrhea. It has become so severe that I recently had an episode of fecal incontinence, which has never happened to me before. Now, eating causes a burning sensation in my upper stomach followed by intestinal cramping. Over-the-counter anti-diarrhea medication provides little relief.

In addition to these gastrointestinal (GI) problems, I have also had a series of other illnesses, including a cold, strep throat (for which I took amoxicillin), and COVID-19. I feel exhausted from this cycle of sickness.

I have seen my primary care doctor, who suggested this is a normal part of having a child in daycare. However, I find it hard to believe that three consecutive months of diarrhea is a typical experience for all daycare parents. I have an appointment with a gastroenterologist, but it is not for several months. I am looking for some insight into what might be happening.

Answer:

Hey, it sounds like you've been through a really rough time, and it's totally understandable to feel worn down by being sick so often.

It's true that when kids start daycare, everyone at home can catch more bugs because of the increased exposure – that can definitely lead to more frequent illnesses, including those tough stomach episodes you've experienced. Is your little one also catching a lot of things from daycare?

Even with the "daycare effect," your ongoing issues, especially the GI problems that started even before daycare, sound very challenging. It's good you're seeing a GI specialist.

A helpful tip while you wait for that GI appointment: Try keeping a simple daily log of your symptoms. Note down what you eat, when you have pain/cramping/diarrhea, and any other symptoms (you can also find some food intolerance through this as well). This can give your specialist helps ensure you don't accidentally overstate or understate things when you try to remember everything later.

For extra peace of mind and clear guidance when tracking your child's symptoms, the FeverCoach app is always there to help.

https://fevercoach.us