Red Flags & When to Go In Person for Vomiting

Audience: adult

Vomiting can be caused by many different conditions, from mild stomach upset to more serious health problems. While telemedicine can help you understand your symptoms and offer advice, some signs mean you should seek in-person medical care quickly. These include severe dehydration, persistent vomiting, blood in vomit, or sudden severe abdominal pain. Telemedicine is useful for mild cases, providing guidance on hydration and diet, and helping decide if further care is needed. Knowing when to get urgent care can prevent complications and ensure proper treatment.

Red flags — go in person / ER

• Vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds — go to emergency care immediately.
• Severe abdominal pain or swelling — seek urgent in-person evaluation.
• Signs of dehydration such as dizziness, dry mouth, very little or no urine — get medical help promptly.

What telemedicine can do

• Assessment of mild vomiting symptoms
• Advice on hydration and diet
• Guidance on over-the-counter remedies for nausea
• Monitoring symptom progression and deciding if in-person care is needed

What telemedicine cannot do

• Diagnosing serious underlying conditions requiring physical exam or imaging
• Emergency situations such as vomiting blood or severe dehydration
• Administering intravenous fluids or medications
• Performing laboratory tests or imaging studies

What Causes Vomiting?

Vomiting happens when your body forcefully empties the stomach through the mouth. It can be caused by infections, food poisoning, motion sickness, pregnancy, medications, or other health conditions. Sometimes vomiting is a sign of more serious problems like blockages, infections, or organ issues.

When Is Vomiting an Emergency?

Certain signs mean you should seek in-person care immediately:

These symptoms may indicate serious conditions needing urgent treatment.

How Telemedicine Can Help

Telemedicine providers can assess your symptoms, help you manage mild vomiting, and advise when to seek in-person care. They can guide you on:

Telemedicine is often a good first step but cannot replace physical exams or tests when needed.

Preparing for Your Telemedicine Visit

Before your tele-visit, have ready:

This helps the clinician provide better advice.

After Your Telemedicine Visit

Follow the care plan given by your provider. This may include:

If you develop any emergency signs, seek in-person care immediately.

How to prepare for your tele-visit

• Write down when vomiting started and how often it occurs
• List any other symptoms you have (fever, pain, dizziness)
• Have a list of current medications and supplements
• Be ready to describe recent food intake, travel, or exposures
• Have a thermometer and note your temperature if possible

After your tele-visit

• Follow hydration and diet recommendations from your provider
• Rest and avoid solid foods until vomiting decreases
• Watch for red-flag symptoms and seek urgent care if they appear
• Schedule follow-up telemedicine or in-person visits if symptoms persist or worsen
• Use prescribed or recommended medications as directed

FAQs

Can telemedicine providers prescribe medication for vomiting?

Yes, telemedicine providers can often recommend or prescribe medications to help control nausea and vomiting when appropriate. However, they will consider your overall health and symptoms before doing so.

When should I stop trying home remedies and seek in-person care?

If vomiting lasts more than 24 hours, you cannot keep fluids down, or you develop red-flag symptoms like blood in vomit, severe pain, or dehydration signs, seek in-person medical care promptly.

Is it safe to drink water if I am vomiting?

Yes, staying hydrated is important. Sip small amounts of clear fluids frequently. Avoid large amounts at once, which may trigger more vomiting.

Can vomiting be a sign of COVID-19 or other infections?

Vomiting can be a symptom of various infections, including COVID-19, stomach viruses, or foodborne illnesses. Telemedicine providers can help assess your risk and advise testing if needed.

How can I prevent vomiting in the future?

Prevention depends on the cause. General tips include eating small, frequent meals, avoiding foods that upset your stomach, staying hydrated, and practicing good hygiene to reduce infection risk.

Sources

1. Vomiting — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
2. Nausea and Vomiting — Mayo Clinic.
3. Dehydration: Symptoms and Treatment — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
4. Vomiting: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment — Merck Manuals Consumer Version.

This telemedicine guidance is for educational and triage purposes only and is not a substitute for in-person medical evaluation and treatment. If you experience any emergency symptoms or worsening condition, seek immediate medical care.