VOMITING WITH DIARRHEA

Has the patient been vomiting for more than 12 hours?
Has there been diarrhea for more than 48 hours?
Is the patient becoming dehydrated?

• If yes to any of the above, the patient should be examined by a physician promptly.
• If no, then follow the instructions below.

ACTIVITIES:  Reduce activity until vomiting, diarrhea, and fever are gone. You do not have to stay in bed if you feel like being up.

MEDICATIONS:  Most patients will not need medications for vomiting or diarrhea. Tylenol or Ibuprofen may be taken for fever, but do not take any other medicines (even simple ones you buy without a prescription) without telling your doctor.

DIET:  Get the vomiting under control first.  Take frequent small sips of cold, clear liquids till the vomiting and nausea have stopped.  Take at least a teaspoonful every minute to prevent dehydration.  Infants and small children should be given Pedialyte or Ricelyte.

• A Clear Liquid Diet includes: Water, Coke, 7 Up, Kool-Aid, Jello water (one teaspoon of Jello powder per half cup of water), Gatorade, tea, broth, Popsicle, and Pedialyte.
• A Bland, Low Fat Diet can be started when there has been no vomiting for a couple of hours and you are no longer nauseated.  This diet includes: unbuttered rice, potatoes, noodles, crackers, toast, cereal, unbuttered cooked vegetables, soft fruits (especially bananas), poached or boiled egg, and most soups.  Continue plenty of clear liquids till the diarrhea has stopped.
• AVOID foods high in sugar or fats till the diarrhea has stopped.
  

CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR FOR ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:

1. The temperature is over 103 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. You see no improvement after 24 hours.
3. There is a seizure (convulsion).
4. You have trouble breathing.
5. You see blood in bowel movement.
6. Signs of dehydration occur: Dry mouth, tearless or sunken eyes, little or no urine.

If there is also FEVER, then see elsewhere.

Return to the Home Page

This page was last updated on 19 August 1999.