Vomiting

hellonotarealdr
Aug 8
2 min read

Vomiting is very common in young children. It's usually caused by a stomach bug or infection, but it can also be caused by things like acid reflux*. Vomiting can come with diarrhoea.

You should stay off school for 48 hours after the most recent time you've vomited. This is because stomach bugs can spread very easily and make everyone else in school sick.

Stretch!

Vomiting can quickly lead to dehydration, especially in young children, because their bodies lose water and salts faster.

What to do?

While the casualty* is vomiting, give them a damp cloth to wipe their face with and reassure them.
After they have stopped, give them sips of water or unsweetened fruit juice
When the casualty is hungry, give them soft, simple foods that can easily be digested like pasta, bread, and potatoes. Avoid spicy foods.
A parent or guardian can take the casualty to see a GP* if they do not stop vomiting/have other symptoms.

Go to A&E if:

The vomit has blood in it or looks like coffee grounds
The casualty has a stiff neck or pain when looking at bright lights
They suddenly get severe stomach pain

Summary:

Vomiting in children is usually caused by stomach bugs or infections. It’s important to rest, stay hydrated, and stay home from school for 48 hours (2 days) after the last episode to prevent spreading illness. Seek urgent help if symptoms are severe or unusual.

Glossary:

Acid reflux: A condition where stomach acid comes back up your food pipe (oesophagus), which can sometimes make you vomit.

Casualty: The person that's hurt in a first aid scenario.

GP: A GP (General Practitioner) is the first kind of doctor you usually go to if there's something wrong. They can give you medicine or tell you to go to a specialist if they want to do more tests.