Home Care

Most vomiting with diarrhea is caused by a viral infection and does not need to be seen in the ER. Vomiting typically lasts 12-24 hours but nausea and vomiting may persist up to 3 days. Child may vomit everything for 3-4 hours. Our main concern is dehydration, a good way to monitor this is to make sure your child has urine output every 6 hours and to check the inside of the mouth to see if it is very dry. You can offer clear fluids (water, ice chips, half strength Gatorade, Pedialyte, popsicles, etc), starting with 2-3 teaspoons every 5 minutes. After 4 hours without vomiting, it's OK to increase the amount. If the patient vomits, restart. After 8 hours without vomiting, you can return to regular fluids. After 8 hours without vomiting, you can gradually add small amounts of bland, light, starchy foods. Try to avoid medications and sugary drinks as this can make the stomach more upset.

Where should I go?

  • Go to the ER if:
    • The patient is very weak, limp, or unresponsive
    • Less than 3 months old with 3 or more episodes of vomiting within the last 24 hours and appears ill
    • Blood in the vomit
    • IF we are not open and they are having severe abdominal pain with vomiting or cannot keep fluids down after 4 hours
    • No urine output for more than 8 hours.