VOMITING

Symptoms | When to call | Homecare Advice

WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR FOR VOMITING

Call 911 Now (your child may need an ambulance) If:

Unresponsive or difficult to awaken
Not moving or too weak to stand

Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If

Your child looks or acts very sick.
Stiff neck, severe headache or bulging soft spot.
You suspect poisoning with a plant, medicine, or other chemical.
Signs of dehydration (e.g., very dry mouth, no tears and no urine in more than 8 hours).
Blood in the vomit that's not from a nosebleed.
Bile (yellow or green) in the vomit.
Abdominal pain is also present (EXCEPTION: abdominal pain or crying just before and relieved by vomiting is quite common).
Fever above 104°F (40°C).
Age less than 12 weeks old with fever above 100.4°F (38°C) rectally.
Age less than 12 weeks with vomiting 2 or more times.
Age less than 12 months old who has vomited clear fluids 3 or more times and also has watery diarrhea.
Receiving ORS and vomits everything > 8 hours
High-risk child (e.g., diabetes mellitus, abdominal injury).
Vomiting an essential medicine.

Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9am and 4pm) If

You think your child needs to be seen.
Has vomited for more than 24 hours.
Fever present for more than 3 days.

Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If

You have other questions or concerns.
Vomiting is a recurrent problem.

Parent Care at Home If

Mild vomiting (probably viral gastritis) and you don't think your child needs to be seen.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.

Reviewed 8/2004

Revised 8/2004

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