Nausea and Vomiting, Age 4 and Older

Emergencies

Yes	Do you have any of the following symptoms that require emergency treatment? Call 911 or other emergency services immediately.

• Breathing stops for longer than 30 seconds. After calling 911, begin rescue breathing. Go to Rescue Breathing in the topic Dealing With Emergencies.
• Chest pain or other symptoms of a heart attack
• Severe dehydration
• Shock
• Moderate to severe difficulty breathing
• Symptoms of a stroke:
  • Unconsciousness that lasts for longer than 1 minute
  • Sudden, severe pain in the head ("the worst headache I've ever had")
  • Sudden onset of headache, nausea, and vomiting with an inability to walk or stand
  • Ongoing confusion or a change in level of consciousness or behavior
  • Sudden, persistent loss of movement or muscle weakness in one part or all of one side of the body
  • Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes
  • Sudden, persistent difficulty speaking or understanding speech
  • Seizures. Protect the person from harm during the seizure.

Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

If you have any of the following symptoms, evaluate those symptoms first.

• Abdominal pain: Go to the topic Abdominal Pain, Age 11 and Younger or Abdominal Pain, Age 12 and Older.
• Pregnancy: Go to the topic Pregnancy-Related Problems.
• Vomiting within 24 hours following a head injury: Go to the topic Head Injury, Age 4 and Older.
• Vomiting after ingestion of a known or suspected poison: Go to the topic Poisoning.

Yes	Do you have blood in your vomit, or have you vomited material that looks like coffee grounds?
Yes	Has vomiting occurred with signs of a serious illness?
Yes	Do you have vomiting and a fever?
Yes	Do you think that you might be pregnant?
Yes	Do you have severe or persistent vomiting?
Yes	Do you have vomiting with mild to moderate dehydration?
Yes	Do you think that your nausea or vomiting may be caused by a medicine?
Yes	Have you had persistent nausea?

Other Symptoms to Watch For

Do you have any of the following symptoms?

• Constipation: Go to the topic Constipation, Age 11 and Younger or Constipation, Age 12 and Older.
• Diarrhea: Go to the topic Diarrhea, Age 11 and Younger or Diarrhea, Age 12 and Older.
• Menstrual cramps: Go to the topic Menstrual Cramps.
• Urinary problems: Go to the topics Urinary Problems, Age 11 and Younger or Urinary Problems, Age 12 and Older.

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: July 6, 2007
Medical Review:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
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