What should you know about fever and vomiting blood?

Blood in vomit may appear bright red, dark, or like coffee grounds. It can come from bleeding in the upper digestive tract, including the oesophagus or stomach. Fever can accompany infection, inflammation, or another illness, but the combination cannot be safely explained at home.

Possible causes range from irritation or a tear after forceful vomiting to ulcers, liver-related bleeding, medicines that affect clotting, or a serious digestive condition. Vomiting blood does not by itself diagnose cancer; conditions such as oesophageal cancer and stomach cancer require medical testing.

Call emergency services or go to an emergency department. Do not drive yourself if you feel faint. Sit upright or lie on your side if vomiting continues, and avoid food, drink, alcohol, and anti-inflammatory painkillers until a clinician advises you.

Bring a list of medicines and describe the colour and amount of blood, the fever, recent vomiting, pain, black stools, and any liver or bleeding history. Do not wait to see whether the symptoms disappear.

Emergency help is essential for ongoing bleeding, fainting, confusion, rapid breathing, cold or clammy skin, severe abdominal or chest pain, black stools, or difficulty staying awake. These can signal significant blood loss or serious illness.

After immediate assessment, ask what the suspected bleeding source is, which tests are needed, whether any medicine should be paused, and how to recognise recurrence. Ask when eating, drinking, and normal activity are safe.