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What Causes Severe Vomiting Along With Chills And Fever?

Posted on Tue, 5 Jun 2018

Question: I have a 12 year old daughter who has been throwing up for the past 3 hours. She was in the sun for most of the day and swimming. She has chills, is sweating (she has a fever, but we don't have a thermometer), and yesterday we were on a plane for 7+ hours. Were tried to have her sip on Gatorade, but she hasn't been able to keep it down. We are on vacation, but were wondering when to seek medical attention for this condition since we're not sure if it's food poisoning, the flu or something else.
Thanks! XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Saddiq Ulabidin (52 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Can be gastritis or food poisoning and may need oral rehydration salts

Detailed Answer:
Hi! Welcome to Healthcaremagic. Thanks for sharing your concerns with us. We will try to help you in best way possible. First of all it's sad to know what your daughter had been going through lately.

Based on the history you have shared, it can be an episode of food poisoning or gastritis due to contaminated food or drinks. She needs to be started with anti emetics like metaclopramide or domperidone thrice daily but oral rehydration is very important.

I would suggest to start her on standard Oral rehydration salts as Gatorade can have electrolytes to replenish her energy but is usually for athletes with normal digestion and may not help in such conditions rather preservatives or artificial sugars may aggravate the symptoms so it's better to use medicated ORS which has right osmotic pressure for better absorption in diseased gut.

OTC analgesics like acetaminophen can help with fever but if symptoms persist it's better to get her reviewed by nearby medical care facility as she may need to be put on antibiotics like ciprofloxacin. Soft diets are a must meanwhile.

Wishing her a speedy recovery. Hope this has answered your query. If you have any more questions please feel free to ask. Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Saddiq Ulabidin (1 hour later)

She's still unable to keep anything down, plus she's had diarrhea for the past couple hours that has turned to a pinkish brown color. Does this cause more concern, and if so, should we get her some help ASAP?

Answered by Dr. Saddiq Ulabidin (14 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes you need to consult a medical facility nearby

Detailed Answer:
Hi! In that case she will need a nearby medical facility visit as she may be started on intravenous fluids, anti emetics and metronidazole and also he worked you for renal functions, serum electrolytes and complete blood counts to look for white cells and platelets counts and Stool analysis too if possible. Meanwhile keep her on oral rehydration salts and domperidone should not be started because it can worsen the diarrhea and other anti emetics like metaclopramide can be given even if she throws up once or twice you can repeat the dose but some amount will get absorbed meanwhile. Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng