Vomiting and diarrhea

Symptoms

• Nausea and vomiting: A queasy stomach with repeated episodes of throwing up, often the body's first response to an infection or spoiled food.
• Watery diarrhea: Frequent loose or watery stools, sometimes with urgency and cramping.
• Abdominal cramps: Waves of belly pain or spasms that may ease briefly after vomiting or a bowel movement.
• Low-grade fever: A mild rise in temperature is common with viral gastroenteritis and often passes on its own.
• Signs of dehydration: Increased thirst, dry mouth, reduced or dark urine, headache, dizziness, and tiredness as fluid is lost.
• Loss of appetite: Not wanting to eat or drink, which can make fluid loss worse if it continues.

When It's an Emergency

Call 911 or come to Bellaire ER immediately if you cannot keep any liquids down, vomit blood or material that looks like coffee grounds, or pass stool that is bloody, maroon, or black and tarry. These can signal internal bleeding or a serious gastrointestinal problem.

Seek emergency care for severe or worsening abdominal pain, a high or persistent fever, a stiff neck, confusion, or severe weakness. Call 911 right away if vomiting occurs alongside sudden severe headache, chest pain, one-sided weakness, or slurred speech, which can signal a stroke or heart problem rather than a stomach bug.

Dehydration red flags vary by age. In infants and young children, watch for no wet diaper in six to eight hours, no tears when crying, a sunken soft spot, dry mouth, sunken eyes, and unusual drowsiness or floppiness. In older adults and anyone with a chronic illness, watch for confusion, rapid heartbeat, lightheadedness on standing, very dark urine, and little or no urination.

Don't wait it out if symptoms last more than two to three days, if a young child, older adult, pregnant person, or someone with diabetes or a weakened immune system cannot stay hydrated. Prolonged fluid loss can cause dangerous dehydration and electrolyte imbalances that need prompt IV treatment.

When It's Not an Emergency

Most stomach bugs and mild food poisoning can be managed at home. Rest, sip an oral rehydration solution or clear fluids frequently in small amounts, and return to bland foods as tolerated. Symptoms usually improve within one to three days.

Telemedicine or an urgent care visit is reasonable when vomiting and diarrhea are mild, you are keeping some fluids down, and there are no red flags. A clinician can advise on rehydration, anti-nausea options, and whether testing is needed. Bellaire ER also offers telemedicine for exactly this kind of guidance.

Contact your primary care doctor if you have ongoing symptoms without warning signs, need a note, or want help judging your child's hydration. When you are unsure or symptoms are worsening, an ER visit is the safer choice.

What Happens at Bellaire ER

When you arrive at Bellaire ER with vomiting and diarrhea, a board-certified emergency physician sees you quickly and assesses how dehydrated you are. Your evaluation may include a physical exam, blood and urine labs to check electrolytes, kidney function, and signs of infection, and stool testing when indicated.

Imaging such as ultrasound, X-ray, or CT is available on-site if the physician needs to rule out appendicitis, a bowel obstruction, or another abdominal cause. If you are dehydrated, we can start IV fluids to rehydrate you and give medication through the IV to control nausea and vomiting.

We diagnose and treat in a single visit, and most patients do not need a hospital transfer. Before you leave, your physician explains your results, provides prescriptions if needed, and gives a clear plan for rehydration, diet, and follow-up.

Prevention

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after using the bathroom, changing diapers, and before preparing or eating food, since many stomach bugs spread this way and alcohol gels are less effective against some of them.

Practice food safety: refrigerate leftovers promptly, cook meats to safe temperatures, avoid cross-contamination between raw and cooked foods, and be cautious with unpasteurized products and untreated water.

During an active illness, keep the sick person's towels and utensils separate and disinfect surfaces to protect the rest of the household. A rotavirus vaccine is recommended for infants to prevent one common cause of severe diarrhea.