Cold and vomiting: what should you know?

Mucus swallowed during a respiratory illness or forceful coughing can upset the stomach. Vomiting with diarrhoea, cramps or contact with unwell people fits gastroenteritis or food poisoning more closely. Migraine can cause nausea with headache and light sensitivity. Gallstones or pancreatitis may cause strong upper abdominal pain, while meningitis is a rare but serious possibility when vomiting occurs with severe headache, stiff neck, confusion or a rash. Rotavirus infection is particularly relevant in young children. The whole pattern matters more than the word cold.

Take small, frequent sips of water or an oral rehydration drink, and pause briefly if swallowing triggers more vomiting. Resume bland food gradually when fluids stay down. Rest, wash hands carefully and avoid preparing food for others while actively vomiting. Do not give children or adults unfamiliar anti-sickness medicines without advice. Record urine output, alertness and the presence of pain, fever or diarrhoea.

Get urgent help for blood or green vomit, severe abdominal pain, a swollen abdomen, confusion, stiff neck, a new rash, collapse or breathing difficulty. Seek same-day advice if fluids will not stay down, urination becomes much less frequent, the mouth is very dry, or the person is unusually sleepy. Infants, older adults and people with significant medical conditions can become dehydrated quickly.

Ask whether the vomiting fits a stomach infection or another cause, how to replace fluids, and which medicines are safe. Explain when it began, how often it happens, what the vomit looks like, and whether pain, diarrhoea, headache or fever is present.