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InstaCare Online

Care at Home

  1. Try Sleeping: Sleep often empties the stomach and relieves the need to vomit. When you awaken, resume drinking liquids. Water works best initially.
  2. Clear Liquids: Try to sip small amounts (1 tablespoon) of liquid frequently (every 5 minutes) for 8 hours, rather than trying to drink a lot of liquid all at one time.
    • Sip water or a rehydration drink (e.g., Gatorade, Powerade).
    • Other options: 1/2 strength flat lemon-lime soda or ginger ale.
    • After 4 hours without vomiting, increase the amount.
  3. Solid Food: You may begin eating bland foods after 8 hours without vomiting.
    • Start with saltine crackers, white bread, rice, mashed potatoes, cereal, applesauce, etc.
    • After 48 hours on a bland diet, you may resume a normal diet.
  4. Avoid Medicines: Discontinue all non-prescription medicines for 24 hours. (Reason: they may make vomiting worse.) Call if vomiting a prescription medicine.
  5. Contagiousness: You can return to work or school after vomiting and fever are gone.
  6. Expected Course: Vomiting from viral gastritis usually stops in 12 to 48 hours. If diarrhea is present, it usually continues for several days.
  7. IF your symptoms become worse: Review Should I Call? recommendations.
  1. Symptom Description
  2. Should I Call?

Adult Housecalls. Copyright © 2001-2008. David Thompson, M.D.
Reviewed/Modified: Jan. 2008 by Intermountain Healthcare, Inc.


© 2007 Intermountain Healthcare, Salt Lake City, Utah. All Rights Reserved.