Diarrhoea and vomiting

Diarrhoea and vomiting are common in adults, children and babies. They're often caused by a stomach bug and should stop in a few days.

The advice is the same if you have diarrhoea and vomiting together or separately.

How to treat diarrhoea and vomiting yourself

You can usually treat yourself or your child at home. The most important thing is to have lots of fluids to avoid dehydration.

How long diarrhoea and vomiting last

In adults and children:

• diarrhoea usually stops within 5 to 7 days
• vomiting usually stops in 1 or 2 days

Diarrhoea and vomiting can spread easily

A pharmacist can help if:

• you or your child (over 5 years) have signs of dehydration – such as dark, smelly pee or peeing less than usual
• you need to stop diarrhoea for a few hours

They may recommend:

• oral rehydration sachets you mix with water to make a drink
• medicine to stop diarrhoea for a few hours (like loperamide) – not suitable for children under 12

Get an urgent GP appointment if:

• you're worried about a baby under 12 months
• your child stops breast or bottle feeding while they're ill
• a child under 5 years has signs of dehydration – such as fewer wet nappies
• you or your child (over 5 years) still have signs of dehydration after using oral rehydration sachets
• you or your child keep being sick and cannot keep fluid down
• you or your child have bloody diarrhoea or bleeding from your bottom
• you or your child have diarrhoea for more than 7 days or vomiting for more than 2 days

Check with the GP surgery before going in. A GP may speak to you on the phone. Call 111 if you cannot contact your GP.

Causes of diarrhoea and vomiting

You probably won't know exactly what the cause is, but the main causes of diarrhoea and vomiting are treated in the same way.

The most common causes are:

• a stomach bug (gastroenteritis)
• norovirus – also called the "vomiting bug"
• food poisoning