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uk Health & medical scares vomiting repeatedly • throwing up nonstop • cannot keep fluids down • can't keep water down • keep being sick • can't stop vomiting • dehydration risk from vomiting • signs of dehydration • dark smelly urine • peeing less than usual • dizziness when standing • vomiting for more than 2 days • green vomit adult • vomit blood or coffee grounds • severe tummy pain with vomiting • stiff neck with vomiting • sudden severe headache and vomiting • possible food poisoning vomiting • stomach bug vomiting • possible poisoning exposure • child vomiting dehydration signs • baby vomiting under 12 months

What to do if…
you start vomiting repeatedly and cannot keep fluids down

Short answer

If you keep being sick and cannot keep fluid down, call NHS 111 now and start small, frequent sips of water or oral rehydration solution while you arrange help. Call 999 or go to A&E immediately if you have any red-flag symptoms.

Do not do these things

  • Do not gulp large drinks “to catch up” — it often triggers more vomiting.
  • Do not force yourself (or anyone else) to vomit.
  • If you also have diarrhoea, do not have fruit juice or fizzy drinks — they can make diarrhoea worse.
  • Do not drive yourself to A&E if you feel faint, confused, very weak, or are actively vomiting — ask someone to drive you or call 999.

What to do now

  1. Check for “go now” red flags (999 / A&E). Call 999 or go to A&E immediately if you:
    • vomit blood, or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
    • have green vomit (adults)
    • may have swallowed something poisonous
    • have a stiff neck and pain when looking at bright lights
    • have a sudden, severe headache
    • have a sudden, severe tummy ache
    • have blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue, severe difficulty breathing, or you’re confused/not responding as usual
  2. Call NHS 111 now (or use 111 online) and say: “I keep being sick and cannot keep fluid down.”
    • NHS 111 is also the right route if any of these apply: you’re worried about a baby under 12 months; your child stops breast or bottle feeding while ill; a child under 5 has dehydration signs (fewer wet nappies); you still have dehydration signs after using oral rehydration sachets (age 5+); there’s bloody diarrhoea/bleeding from the bottom; vomiting lasts more than 2 days.
  3. Start rehydrating in the way your stomach is most likely to tolerate (while you wait for advice):
    • Take small sips of water or squash; pause; repeat.
    • If sips trigger vomiting, try 1 teaspoon every few minutes, then increase slowly if it stays down.
    • If you have (or can get) them, use oral rehydration sachets mixed with water (a pharmacist can advise).
    • If nothing stays down, keep trying tiny amounts — and keep 111 informed that you can’t keep any fluid down.
  4. Use quick dehydration checks to guide urgency:
    • Very dark, strong-smelling pee; peeing much less than usual; persistent dizziness; unusual drowsiness; worsening weakness; confusion are all reasons to treat this as urgent and follow 111’s direction.
    • For children: fewer wet nappies than usual is an important dehydration sign.
  5. Prepare a 30-second “hand-over” note for 111/A&E:
    • When vomiting started; how often; whether you can keep any fluid down; last time you peed; fever; severe pain; any diarrhoea or bleeding; pregnancy possibility; and a list/photo of medicines you take.
  6. If poisoning is possible (medicine mix-up, chemicals, unknown substance):
    • Get medical advice immediately via NHS 111 (or 999 if severe symptoms). Keep the packaging/container to show clinicians. Do not take “counteracting” remedies unless told to.

What can wait

  • You do not need to identify the exact cause right now.
  • You do not need to force food — focus on fluids first; eating can wait until you can keep liquids down.
  • You do not need to decide alone whether this is “serious enough” — NHS 111 can triage you.

Important reassurance

Repeated vomiting can feel frightening and out of control. The main immediate risk is dehydration, and taking tiny sips plus getting help early is a sensible, protective response.

Scope note

This guide covers first steps to reduce risk and get you to the right level of help. Further decisions (tests, medicines, identifying the cause) come later with a clinician if needed.

Important note

This is general information, not a diagnosis. If you are deteriorating, have red-flag symptoms, or cannot keep fluids down, use NHS 111/999 promptly.

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