Nausea And Vomiting, Age 4 And Older: Check Your Symptoms

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When to See a Doctor

Do you have blood in your vomit, or have you vomited material that looks like coffee grounds?

See significance of blood in vomit if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Before answering the following questions, rate the severity of the blood in your vomit.

Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Note:

Do not eat or drink anything until you have talked with your doctor. When you vomit blood, watch for blood in the stools, such as tarry, black, or maroon stools. This indicates a more serious amount of bleeding.

Yes

Do you have more than a streak of blood in your vomit?

Yes

Does your vomit contain material that looks like coffee grounds?

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Note:

Do not eat, and drink only sips of clear liquids until you have talked with your doctor.

Yes

Do you have a streak of blood in your vomit and you do not think the blood is coming from your nose or mouth?

You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

For the past 24 hours, have you had streaks of blood in your vomit but you are quite sure the blood is coming from your nose or mouth?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Last updated:	July 06, 2007
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer