When should you see a doctor about vomiting?

Vomiting can accompany gastroenteritis, food poisoning, norovirus infection, or rotavirus infection. Abdominal pain with vomiting can also occur with gallstones or pancreatitis. Heat stroke may cause vomiting alongside a very high body temperature, confusion, or collapse. The cause cannot be identified from vomiting alone, so the pattern and other symptoms guide assessment.

Rest and take small, frequent sips of water or an oral rehydration drink. Once fluids stay down, try bland foods in small amounts and avoid alcohol, heavy meals, and strong smells. Record when vomiting started, what you have kept down, urine output, pain, fever, and any recent food, travel, or sick contacts. Do not give anti-vomiting medicine to a child unless a clinician advises it.

Seek urgent care for blood or coffee-ground material in vomit, green vomit, severe or worsening abdominal pain, a swollen abdomen, stiff neck, severe headache, chest pain, fainting, confusion, or signs of dehydration such as very little urine and marked dizziness. After heat exposure, confusion or collapse is an emergency.

Ask what cause is most consistent with your symptoms, whether you need examination or fluids, how to restart food safely, and which warning signs should bring you back urgently.