Vomiting due to food poisoning

Food poisoning is a foodborne illness that may irritate the stomach and intestines. Vomiting may occur with nausea, diarrhoea, abdominal pain or fever. The main immediate concern is dehydration from losing fluid and from being unable to drink. The combination of symptoms, what you ate, and how quickly illness began helps a clinician assess the cause.

Rest and take frequent, small sips of water or an oral rehydration drink. If drinking triggers vomiting, pause briefly and restart with smaller sips. Once fluids stay down, try bland foods in modest amounts and avoid alcohol, greasy meals and foods that worsen nausea. Oral Rehydration Therapy can help replace water and salts; IV Fluid Therapy may be needed when drinking is not possible.

Arrange urgent medical assessment if you cannot keep fluids down, feel faint or confused, pass very little urine, or have severe abdominal pain, blood in vomit or stool, or a high fever. Seek emergency help for collapse, trouble breathing, marked drowsiness or rapidly worsening symptoms. Children, older adults, pregnant people and those with significant medical conditions can become dehydrated sooner.

Ask whether your symptoms fit Food Poisoning, whether you need testing, and which fluids or medicines are suitable for you. Tell the clinician when vomiting began, how often it happens, whether diarrhoea or fever is present, and whether anyone else who shared the meal is ill.