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What to do if…
you start vomiting blood or see coffee-ground material in vomit

Short answer

If you are currently vomiting blood/coffee-ground material or you feel faint, dizzy, confused, short of breath, in pain, or generally unwell, call 999 (or 112) now. If it has stopped and you feel completely well, call 111 urgently today for advice — and treat any recurrence or worsening as a 999 emergency.

Do not do these things

  • Do not drive yourself to hospital, and don’t let someone “just drive you” if you’re faint/dizzy or still vomiting.
  • Do not lie flat on your back if you might vomit again (choking risk).
  • Do not take aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen or similar anti-inflammatories “for the pain” unless a clinician has told you to.
  • Do not drink alcohol, energy drinks, or “settle your stomach” with home remedies.
  • Do not assume it’s food colouring or something you ate if it looks like blood or coffee grounds.
  • Do not delay getting help if it happens again, increases, or you feel worse.

What to do now

  1. Choose the right urgent route now:
    • Call 999/112 if you are actively vomiting blood/coffee grounds, it’s more than a trace, or you feel unwell (faint/dizzy/confused, breathless, clammy/pale, fast breathing, severe tummy/chest pain, black/tarry stools).
    • If it has stopped and you feel well, call 111 urgently today and follow their advice (go to A&E if told, or if symptoms return).
  2. Position for safety (reduce choking risk):
    • Sit upright, leaning forward slightly, or lie on your side (recovery position) with your head turned.
    • Keep a bowl/bag nearby.
  3. If there’s someone with you: ask them to stay with you, unlock the door, and be ready to direct ambulance staff in. If you have pets/children, ask them to manage immediate safety (keep space, keep calm).
  4. Get the “key facts” ready (30 seconds):
    • Roughly how much (streaks vs mouthfuls) and what it looks like (bright red vs dark/coffee grounds).
    • Any black/tarry stools, severe tummy pain, chest pain, fainting, breathlessness, confusion.
    • Your medications, especially blood thinners (e.g., warfarin, apixaban, rivaroxaban, dabigatran), aspirin, steroids, or regular NSAIDs.
    • Any known liver disease, ulcers, recent heavy alcohol use, or recent forceful vomiting.
  5. If safe, keep a small sample or take a quick photo to show clinicians. Do not delay calling 999/111 to do this.
  6. Avoid food and drink until you’ve been assessed. If you’re waiting for help and your mouth is very dry, small sips of water are usually safest only if you’re fully alert and it does not trigger more vomiting.
  7. If you worsen at any point (collapse, confusion, severe weakness, repeated vomiting blood, trouble breathing): escalate to 999 (or tell the call handler immediately if already on the line).

What can wait

  • Figuring out the cause or searching symptoms online.
  • Calling your GP surgery directly (use 999 or 111 as above).
  • Cleaning up properly (just make the area safe from slips).
  • Deciding whether it’s “enough blood” — if it’s blood/coffee grounds and you’re not clearly well and stable, treat it as urgent.

Important reassurance

It’s normal to freeze or doubt yourself when something looks frightening. Getting urgent medical advice for blood or coffee-ground vomit is a safety-first choice — and you won’t be wasting anyone’s time by acting promptly.

Scope note

This is first-steps-only guidance to reduce immediate risk and get you into the right urgent care pathway. Tests and treatment decisions should be made by clinicians after assessment.

Important note

This guide is general information, not medical advice or a diagnosis. If you vomit blood or material that looks like coffee grounds, seek urgent medical assessment immediately.

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