What should you know about vomiting red liquid?

Fresh blood can appear bright red and may come from the throat, food pipe, stomach, or upper intestine. Red foods, drinks, or medicines can also change vomit colour, but appearance cannot safely distinguish these possibilities. Repeated retching may irritate or tear tissue, while inflammation or an ulcer can bleed without a known injury. Look for clots, dark particles, black stools, abdominal pain, and whether the material returns.

Stop and arrange urgent medical advice rather than testing the colour with more food or drink. Sit upright and avoid alcohol and aspirin unless prescribed instructions or emergency clinicians say otherwise. Note what you ate or drank, the timing, amount, and whether nausea or forceful retching came first. Take a medicine list with you, including anti-inflammatory painkillers and blood thinners. If weakness or dizziness develops, do not drive.

Go to an emergency department immediately for repeated red vomit, more than a trace, clots, coffee-ground material, black stools, faintness, confusion, severe weakness, clammy skin, trouble breathing, or severe abdominal pain. A red colour that follows a red drink can still be difficult to judge at home. Get prompt assessment as well if you have liver disease or take medicines that affect clotting.

Ask whether the colour could represent blood, whether tests are needed, and which medicines or foods to avoid. Explain any recent retching, nosebleed, cough, abdominal symptoms, black stools, and the exact products you consumed.