How long should you wait after an illness to go back out and socialize?!

[forbiddenpluto]

Okay... I think Lorelai's better... Here's the scoop on the poop...

Sat: 10 poops in 12 hours, 3 vomitting episodes
Sun: 3 poops all day and 1 vomitting episode (first thing in the morning)
Mon: 1 poop in the morning... still not very solid, and there was aLOT of it, but she hasn't been eating solids much....
Tues: 1 poop so far... again still not very solid, but reminescent of her BF baby poops of olden days...

When would ya'll think it's safe to return to the "real" world? I'm going crazy all cooped up in here. Lorelai's starting to get a bit stir crazy too it seems. I know it's rainy today, but the mall up in Gainesville has an awesome playground... do you ladies think it's too soon? I really don't want to infect anyone with this evil death that she's had. Any ideas? TIA

[mavery]

When lingering diarrhea is the only symptom, I'm pretty comfortable being around other people. I just make sure I'm totally scrupulous about diaper/toilet hygiene, since that's almost certainly the only remaining source of infection.

[Kirsten]

I think you need one FULL day of completely normal - normal eating, normal diapers, no fever or vomiting for at least 24 hours (I really am personally more comfortable with 48). My three kids have had the flu, etc. many times over the years - and sometimes you think they are better but they really aren't. I think it is great that you are concerned about not infecting others. If you are really stir crazy - and baby is feeling good, how about hanging out in the yard, or taking a walk through the neighborhood?

[Samjm]

Another thing to consider is that exposing her to a germ filled environment (like the mall) while her body is still recovering from an illness, might not be the best idea. Her immune system is already dealing with one thing, and to bombard it with something else may make her more susceptible to another illness she'd normally just be able to brush off.

I'd wait 24 hours after the first normal poop.

But you can certainly go for a walk or somewhere else quiet and calm.