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What to do if…
vomiting or diarrhea is causing dehydration and you cannot keep fluids down

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy USA guide

Short answer

Seek urgent medical assessment now. Call 911 if the person loses consciousness, has a seizure, becomes confused or hard to wake, or has trouble breathing.

Do not do these things

  • Do not force large drinks or gulp fluids quickly, as this may trigger more vomiting.
  • Do not make someone who is not fully alert drink.
  • Do not drive yourself if you feel faint, confused, or too weak to travel safely.
  • Do not take salt tablets.
  • Do not give an infant or child over-the-counter anti-diarrhea medicine unless a healthcare professional advises it.
  • Do not use over-the-counter anti-diarrhea medicine if there is blood in the stool or a fever without first speaking to a healthcare professional.
  • Do not stop or change prescribed medicines without medical advice.
  • Do not delay care while trying to identify the exact cause.

What to do now

  1. Sit or lie somewhere safe to reduce the risk of falling. Ask another adult to stay with you, make calls, and arrange transport if possible.
  2. Contact a healthcare professional now or go to an urgent care clinic or emergency department. Say clearly that vomiting or diarrhea is causing dehydration and that fluids will not stay down.
  3. Call 911 if the person loses consciousness, has a seizure, becomes confused or difficult to wake, or has trouble breathing. Follow the call-taker’s instructions.
  4. While arranging care, if the person is fully awake and can swallow normally, try frequent small sips of oral rehydration solution or another clear liquid. Sucking on ice chips may be easier. Do not force fluids.
  5. Tell the healthcare professional about little or no urine, dark urine, dry mouth, dizziness, fainting, unusual sleepiness, severe weakness, severe abdominal pain, blood in vomit or stool, or black tarry stool.
  6. For an infant or child, contact their healthcare professional now. Follow professional advice about oral rehydration solution, and continue breast milk or formula as tolerated unless told otherwise.
  7. Seek prompt assessment for an older adult, pregnant person, immunocompromised person, or anyone with diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease, or another significant medical condition.
  8. Take a medication list, allergy information, the approximate time symptoms began, and the time of the last urination or wet diaper.

What can wait

You do not need to determine whether this is food poisoning, norovirus, or another illness before seeking care. Choosing the perfect drink, cleaning the entire area, detailed symptom tracking, and work or school decisions can wait until medical help and safe transport are arranged.

Important reassurance

Seeking prompt care is appropriate. Dehydration is treatable, but being unable to keep fluids down may mean that drinking at home is not enough.

Scope note

This guide covers immediate first steps only. Identifying the cause and deciding whether medicines, tests, or intravenous fluids are needed requires assessment by a healthcare professional.

Important note

This is general information, not medical advice or a diagnosis. Use 911 for a life-threatening emergency and follow instructions from qualified healthcare professionals who assess the individual situation.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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