What should you know about vomiting and peeing blood?

Do not try to decide the cause from the colour alone. Bright-red, pink, brown, or tea-coloured urine can all require assessment, and vomit may contain fresh red blood or material that looks dark and grainy.

Blood in urine can come from the kidneys, bladder, ureters, or urethra. Vomiting may occur because of severe pain, fever, dehydration, infection, a medicine reaction, or a separate problem affecting the stomach or intestines.

A clinician may need to distinguish true blood from food colouring, menstrual blood, or medicines that change urine colour. They will also consider whether there is bleeding from the digestive tract, which is different from ordinary vomiting.

Some illnesses can cause vomiting without explaining blood in urine, so both symptoms should be described rather than assuming they have one cause.

Arrange urgent medical care today. If you can keep fluids down, take small sips of water while waiting, unless a clinician has told you to limit fluids because of a kidney or heart condition.

Take a list or photo of your medicines, including pain relievers, blood-thinning medicines, supplements, and recent antibiotics. Note when vomiting began, when you first noticed urine changes, any clots, and whether you have flank pain, burning when passing urine, or fever.

Avoid alcohol and avoid taking extra anti-inflammatory pain medicines unless a clinician who knows your situation advises them. If possible, do not drive yourself when you feel faint, confused, or very weak.

Seek emergency help now for a large amount of blood, vomit that looks like blood or dark coffee grounds, severe abdominal or back pain, fainting, confusion, chest pain, trouble breathing, a stiff neck, or inability to pass urine.

Emergency assessment is also needed if repeated vomiting prevents fluids staying down, you are becoming drowsy, or you have fever with shaking chills. These warning signs can accompany significant bleeding, dehydration, a blocked urinary tract, or a serious infection.

Ask what tests are needed to identify where the blood is coming from, whether your symptoms suggest dehydration or infection, and which medicines you should pause or continue. Ask what changes should prompt you to return urgently after the visit.