Vomiting and Diarrhea Treatments for Kids
We use Telemedicine to quickly treat all your kids’ urgent care needs for $0.
There is rarely a person who escapes childhood without experiencing a virus that includes vomiting and diarrhea. While these symptoms are gross and usually dealt with behind closed doors, board-certified pediatricians have no problem helping your child when they have them. Our virtual pediatric telemedicine team is passionate about caring for your children when it’s convenient for you so you do not miss work and they do not miss school.
In many cases, you can monitor your child’s vomiting and diarrhea at home, but if complications arise or conditions worsen, our team is here to assist. All you need is a device with a camera and the internet to speak with our kid doctors and get the treatment they need.
What is vomiting?
Vomiting is the forceful expulsion of contents in the stomach through the mouth. This condition often begins with a nauseous or painful feeling in the stomach and typically occurs suddenly without much warning.
Typically not an illness in itself, vomiting is the symptom or result of a virus or condition. Common childhood conditions that vomiting is an associated symptom of are stomach flu, food poisoning, allergies, infection, headache, and reflux.
Vomiting does not last longer than 24 hours, in most cases, and ceases on its own once your child expels the cause or a pediatrician treats them. You can diminish vomiting symptoms at home with rest and plenty of fluids.
You should call your doctor if your child experiences:
- Vomiting that lasts longer than 24 hours
- Dehydration
- Severe headaches or a stiff neck
- Lethargy
- Blood in the vomit
What is diarrhea?
Diarrhea (viral gastroenteritis) is bowel movements that are loose and watery. This condition often begins with abdominal pain and lasts for 2 to 3 days until the underlying cause leaves the system. Like vomiting, diarrhea is also a physical sign of a different medical issue your child is experiencing. Diarrhea occurs, usually, when a virus gets into the gut through contaminated food or water. The small intestines and large intestines then work to eliminate all substances to flush out the contaminate.
Children may experience diarrhea due to a virus, allergy, infection, medication, or less commonly due to disease, such as Crohn’s disease. Diarrhea alone is not typically a severe cause for concern and you can monitor/treat it at home if it is a mild case.
You should call your doctor if your child experiences:
- Lethargy
- Severe abdominal cramps
- Blood in the stool
- Dehydration
- Diarrhea lasts longer than five days
Vomiting with Diarrhea
In some cases, vomiting and diarrhea may occur together when your child is trying to eliminate germs, bacteria, or illness. When both occur, you should take measures to treat the vomiting first. Vomiting is the body’s way of protecting the intestines and, as such, will cause the fastest loss of hydration. Therefore, dehydration is the biggest concern when experiencing both vomiting and diarrhea.
Additional Concern: Signs of Dehydration
Continuous vomiting and diarrhea often lead to dehydration, which is dangerous for. Dehydration is when your body loses more fluids than it takes in and is, therefore, unable to carry out functions properly. Though dehydration is a common symptom of these conditions, it must be closely watched and can be dangerous. Therefore, if your child cannot take in and keep down fluids and experiences any of these symptoms, you should seek medical care immediately.
- No urination in 8 hours, or reoccurring dark yellow colored urine
- Dry mouth and eyes
- Slow blood refill (tested when pressing on thumbnail)
- Dizziness or weakness
- Sunken soft spot in babies
Virtual Appointment for Vomiting and Diarrhea
When your child wakes up in the middle of the night vomiting or having diarrhea, you can relax knowing that our board-certified pediatricians are available to assist. Your child can have on-demand access to online visits so we can rule out any underlying conditions. You can keep them close to the toilet rather than drive to the urgent care doctor, saving you time from the convenience of your home.