Puking, diarrhoea and chills: what to know

This combination often reflects an illness affecting the digestive system, such as gastroenteritis or food poisoning. Chills may happen as the body responds to infection, with or without a measured fever. Influenza can also cause chills and vomiting, while diarrhoea may occur in some people.

Other infections can produce overlapping symptoms. Dengue Fever and Malaria may cause chills with vomiting; a Kidney Infection or Urinary Tract Infection can cause chills alongside urinary or back symptoms. Sepsis is a serious body-wide response to infection and requires emergency assessment, especially when someone becomes confused, unusually drowsy or rapidly worse.

The symptoms alone cannot identify the cause. A clinician may ask about recent food, travel, sick contacts, medicines, urine changes and pain, then assess hydration and other signs.

Take frequent small sips of water or an oral rehydration solution. If vomiting makes drinking difficult, try a spoonful at a time and increase gradually when it stays down. Avoid alcohol, and choose light foods when appetite returns. Rest, wash hands thoroughly and avoid preparing food for other people while symptoms continue.

Monitor how often you pass urine, whether it is unusually dark, and whether you can keep fluids down. Do not take antibiotics left over from another illness. Ask a pharmacist or clinician before using anti-diarrhoea or anti-vomiting medicines, particularly for a child, during pregnancy, or when there is blood in the stool or severe abdominal pain.

Seek emergency help for confusion, fainting, trouble breathing, severe weakness, a stiff neck, severe or worsening abdominal pain, blood in vomit or stool, or skin that is cold, pale or mottled. These signs can indicate severe dehydration or a serious infection.

Arrange prompt medical advice if you cannot keep fluids down, are passing very little urine, have persistent fever or chills, or symptoms are not settling. Get advice sooner for an infant, an older adult, pregnancy, or a person with diabetes, kidney disease or a weakened immune system.

Ask: What cause best fits my symptoms and examination? Do I need testing for dehydration or infection? Which fluids and medicines are suitable for me? What changes should prompt emergency care, and when should I arrange a follow-up if I am not improving?