What to Do When Vomiting and Diarrhea Strike

One minute you're going about your day. The next, you're camped out in the bathroom wondering what you ate.

Vomiting and diarrhea can come on fast, but the good news is that most stomach bugs also resolve quickly. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), norovirus—the most common cause of vomiting and diarrhea in the United States—typically resolves within one to three days.  

But knowing how to care for yourself at home—and when it's time to seek medical attention—can help you recover safely and avoid complications.

The biggest concern when you have a stomach bug

When people think about the worst part of having a stomach bug, they usually focus on vomiting and diarrhea. Health care providers often focus on something else: dehydration.

Repeated vomiting and diarrhea can cause significant fluid loss, especially in young children, older adults, and people with underlying health conditions.

Signs of dehydration include:

• Decreased urination
• Dry mouth and throat
• Dizziness when standing
• In children, crying with few or no tears or unusual sleepiness or fussiness

What can help you feel better?

While there isn't a quick fix for a stomach bug, a few strategies can help support recovery.

Focus on fluids

If you're vomiting, try taking small sips of water or other liquids throughout the day instead of drinking large amounts at once. Sipping water is easier to tolerate than gulping.

Rest when you can

Norovirus and other gastrointestinal illnesses can leave you feeling exhausted. Along with vomiting and diarrhea, you might experience stomach pain or cramps, headaches, fever, and body aches, so don't be surprised if you need extra rest for a few days while you recover. An over-the-counter pain reliever can help reduce fevers and ease pain. A heating pad or hot water bottle can help relieve cramps. 

Eat when you're ready

Many people temporarily lose their appetite during a stomach illness, but don't force yourself to eat if you're nauseated. Focus on hydration first and gradually return to food as your appetite comes back. Avoid greasy, spicy, or rich foods, which are harder to digest. Bland foods such as toast, crackers, applesauce, and broth are often easier to stomach.

What can make you feel worse  

Cutting off liquids  

People sometimes assume they'll feel better if they simply wait it out and avoid drinking. But dehydration can sneak up quickly. If you're becoming lightheaded, unusually weak, or not urinating very much, those are signs that your body may need more help replacing fluids. Consider oral rehydration solutions, such as Pedialyte® or a dissolvable electrolyte mix, if you can keep down small sips.

Trying to push through severe symptoms

Most stomach bugs improve on their own, but severe symptoms shouldn't be ignored. Inability to keep even small sips of liquids down, severe weakness, or confusion may mean it's time to seek medical care. If your symptoms worsen, last longer than a few days, or improve and then return, call your health care provider. It could be a sign you have an infection such as cyclosporiasis, a treatable intestinal illness caused by a parasite, which can be treated with an antibiotic.

Waiting because you're embarrassed

For some people, one of the biggest barriers to seeking care is the fear of having an accident on the way to or while at the doctor's office. Health care providers understand that concern, but they're focused on helping you feel better and don't want you to delay care. A few practical tips can help you feel more prepared:  

• Ask your doctor if they have a virtual appointment available.  
• Call ahead so the doctor’s office or urgent care knows about your symptoms and ask if you can bypass the waiting room.  
• Bring an extra change of clothes.
• A few disposable airsickness bags can help you feel less anxious about not being near a restroom.
• Carrying tissues, wipes, and a plastic bag to store soiled clothes can help you feel more prepared in case you do have an accident.
• Have someone else drive if you're feeling weak, dizzy, or dehydrated.

When should you see a doctor?  

Most cases of vomiting and diarrhea can be managed at home, but certain symptoms warrant medical attention.

Contact a health care provider if you:

• Are unable to keep liquids down
• Have signs of dehydration, such as dizziness or decreased urination
• Feel unusually weak or confused
• Have symptoms that are severe or not improving
• Are caring for a young child, older adult, or someone with a weakened immune system who shows signs of dehydration

The sooner a health care provider can evaluate someone who is becoming dehydrated, the easier it is to prevent it from becoming a more serious problem.

Schedule a virtual care  appointment.