Vomiting after travel: what to know

Travel exposes you to unfamiliar food, water, microbes, heat and movement. Food poisoning or gastroenteritis may cause vomiting with diarrhoea, cramps or fever. Motion sickness is more closely linked with journeys and often eases after movement stops. Headache and light sensitivity may point toward migraine. The destination and timing help a clinician assess the cause, but vomiting after travel is not automatically an infection.

Rest in a cool place and take small, frequent sips of safe bottled, boiled or treated water. Oral rehydration fluid can replace lost salts. Avoid alcohol, unpasteurised drinks and food that is raw or difficult to digest until you recover. Wash hands with soap, and avoid preparing food for others while vomiting or having diarrhoea. Keep a record of destinations, foods, water sources, medicines and symptom timing.

Seek urgent care for severe abdominal pain, blood in vomit or stool, confusion, fainting, very little urine, repeated vomiting or inability to keep fluids down. Emergency help is needed for breathing difficulty, a stiff neck, severe headache with neurological changes or a rapidly worsening condition. Contact a clinician after travel if fever or diarrhoea persists, especially after visiting an area with known outbreaks.

Ask whether you need tests, rehydration treatment or travel-related precautions. Tell the clinician where you travelled, when you returned, what you ate and drank, whether anyone travelling with you is ill, and whether you have fever, diarrhoea, rash, abdominal pain or a headache.