Should zofran (ondansetron) be given to a 4 month old with rsv? i have a 4 month old grandson that has been diagnosed with rsv. he is running a fever and throwing everything up. even pedialyte. he is very congested.

Even : Even though zofran (ondansetron) is approved for use in infants who are vomiting from chemotherapy, it should be used with extreme caution in any other setting. Zofran (ondansetron) works by blocking neurotransmitters in the nausea center of the brain. If you are vomiting because something is giving you nausea (like chemo, a stomach bug or motion sickness) then zofran (ondansetron) works well. Often, children who have bronchiolitis (the illness caused by rsv) vomit secondary to coughing up and gagging on mucus, not because they are nauseous. In that case, zofran (ondansetron) wouldn't help the vomiting. It is very important to try and keep your grandson hydrated during this illness. Using a bulb suction prior feeds can help. Sometimes sips of pedialyte from a spoon instead of from a bottle can give small enough amounts to prevent choking and vomiting. You should call your grandchild's doctor if you see any signs of dehydration. These signs are: - dry mouth -few or no tears when crying -excessive fussiness -fewer than 3-4 wet diapers/day -no urination in 6-8 hours -sunken soft spot -dry, wrinkled or doughy skin -appears weak or limp -decreased alertness or increased sleepiness -rapid breathing or fast heart rate also, if appears to be worsening, having difficulty breathing, or if his fever persists, you should also contact his doctor. Good luck! RSV is miserable - i'm so sorry he has it.

Prolonged sx: If your infant has prolonged cough,fever or respiratory distress, please see your pediatrician right away. The vomiting may be the result of swallowed mucus, and nasal saline and gently removing mucus is important in the management of the illness. Continue to provide fluids, and Zofran may not be useful in this situation. Usually infants recover without further medical intervention.