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What Are the Symptoms?

Nausea and vomiting are symptoms that something else is wrong with you.

Call Your Doctor If:

Nausea and even vomiting don't always mean you need medical help. If the symptoms scare you, call a doctor.

Nausea and vomiting caused by food poisoning appear one to eight hours after a meal. Some kinds of food poisoning, such as salmonella, may take longer.

Adults with nausea should see a doctor if the symptoms last more than a week. If you are a woman and have been having sex without using birth control, you may be pregnant.

Adults with vomiting should see a doctor if the symptoms last more than 24 hours.

Children under the age of 6 should be taken to a doctor if their vomiting lasts more than a few hours, if there is both vomiting and diarrhea, if there are signs of dehydration, if the child hasn't urinated for six hours, or if the child has a fever of more than 100 F.

Children age 6 and older should be taken to a doctor if their vomiting lasts 24 hours, if there are signs of dehydration, if the child hasn't urinated for six hours, or if the child has a fever of more than 102 F.

See a doctor immediately — or call an ambulance — if:

• There is blood in the vomit. This may give the vomit the appearance of containing coffee grounds.
• The person vomiting becomes confused or sleepy or loses alertness.
• There is a severe headache or stiff neck.
• There is severe pain in the stomach or gut.
• There is rapid breathing or rapid pulse.