Key takeaways

  • Small, frequent sips are often easier to keep down than a full glass.
  • Food can wait until appetite returns, but fluids and signs of dehydration deserve attention.
  • Blood or green vomit, severe pain, confusion, a stiff neck, head injury or inability to keep fluid down needs prompt medical assessment.

Nausea and vomiting are symptoms, not a diagnosis. A short stomach infection is common, but migraine, pregnancy, medicines, food poisoning, appendicitis and many other conditions can cause the same experience. Home care is reasonable only when symptoms are mild, the person can take fluid and no warning signs are present.

Start with very small amounts of fluid

After vomiting, wait a few minutes if needed, then try one or two small sips. Repeat frequently and increase slowly if they stay down. Water may be enough for a brief mild illness. With repeated vomiting or diarrhoea, an oral rehydration solution can replace water and electrolytes in a tested proportion. Mix commercial sachets exactly as directed; making them too concentrated can be harmful.

Older adults, people with weakened immunity, young children and those with significant diarrhoea or dehydration should seek advice earlier. Anyone with a prescribed fluid restriction or diabetes needs an individual sick-day plan.

Eat according to appetite

Do not force a large meal. When nausea eases, start with a small portion of familiar food—toast, rice, soup, potatoes, yoghurt or another food you normally tolerate. There is no need to remain on a highly restrictive “white food” diet for days. Gradually return to normal balanced meals as appetite returns.

Avoid alcohol and very large, greasy meals while recovering. Strong smells can worsen nausea, so cooler food, ventilation and having someone else prepare food may help. Sit upright after eating and take slow, calm movements.

Reduce spread if infection is possible

Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially after using the toilet and before handling food. Clean touched bathroom and kitchen surfaces, do not share towels, and avoid preparing meals for other people while ill. Follow local guidance about how long to stay away from work, school or food-handling duties after vomiting stops.

Signs of dehydration

Watch for a dry mouth, worsening thirst, dark urine, urinating less, dizziness on standing, unusual sleepiness, fast heartbeat or increasing weakness. In children, fewer wet nappies, lack of tears, a sunken soft spot or marked drowsiness needs prompt advice. Do not wait for every sign to appear.

Get urgent medical help when

  • vomit contains blood, looks like coffee grounds or is green;
  • there is severe, localised or worsening abdominal pain;
  • there is severe headache, stiff neck, confusion, rash, breathing difficulty or collapse;
  • vomiting follows a head injury or possible poisoning;
  • you cannot keep even small sips down, or dehydration is progressing;
  • pregnancy is possible and vomiting is persistent or fluid intake is poor;
  • the person is a baby, frail, immunocompromised or has a serious long-term condition.

Contact a clinician if vomiting continues, repeatedly returns, began after a new medicine or is accompanied by weight loss, persistent fever or other unexplained symptoms. A pharmacist can advise on oral rehydration and whether an over-the-counter product is suitable, but anti-sickness medicines are not appropriate for every cause or every person.

Prepare a clear summary

Note when vomiting began, how often it occurs, whether diarrhoea or pain is present, your last urine, recent food and travel, pregnancy possibility and current medicines. Record whether anyone else is ill. This helps a clinician judge dehydration risk and likely causes.

If the person is deteriorating, unusually drowsy or unable to drink, seek help rather than continuing home treatment.

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