Can fever cause vomiting

Fevers & Vomiting | Premier Urgent Care

Fevers & Vomiting | Premier Urgent Care - Wellington, FL

Fevers & Vomiting

Fevers

Fevers are a very common medical condition. In fact, you may get it a few times a year. A fever is an immune response by your body to a foreign invader (viruses, bacteria, fungi, etc.) and is marked by an increase in body temperature (for reference, the average normal body temperature 98.6°F).

A fever is technically not an illness by itself but often an underlying cause of another illness. Most fevers are self-contained and go away after a few days even without medical treatment.

Causes of fever

A fever has many causes, the most common ones being:

Viral infection
Bacterial infection
Other medical conditions (as diagnosed by your physician)

Symptoms of fever

The most recognizable symptom of a fever is a spike in body temperature (above the normal 98. 6°F). Some common symptoms that may accompany a fever include:

Coughing
Sore throat
Fatigue
Sweating
Joint pain
Headache
Chills
Los of appetite

Treatment for fever

Fevers should not be worrisome. If you have a low-grade fever (fever below 101°F), you can try these home treatments:

Resting
Increasing water intake
Keeping yourself as comfortable as possible
Taking a lukewarm sponge bath
OTC medication

When to Go to Premier Urgent Care

Immediately consult a physician at Premier Urgent Care if you experience the following symptoms:

A fever above 101°F
Severe headaches
Vomiting
Redness or swelling in areas of your body

If you are pregnant and have a high-grade fever of 101°F or higher, you should also consult a physician immediately.

Premier Urgent Care is open 6 days a week, Monday - Friday (8 AM to 8 PM) and Saturday (9 AM to 4 PM). We have professional doctors, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners ready to attend to your medical needs. No appointment is necessary; just walk-in anytime.

Vomiting

Scientifically known as emesis, vomiting is the forcible expelling of stomach contents through the mouth or, occasionally, the nose. It is an unpleasant experience that can be painful or tiring. Vomiting can be an underlying symptom of an illness.

Causes of vomiting

Vomiting is typically accompanied by nausea and is caused by several conditions such as:

Motion sickness
Stress
Fever
Viral infection
Food poisoning
Early stages of pregnancy
Overeating
Chemotherapy
Gastroenteritis

Symptoms of vomiting

Some of the symptoms associated with vomiting are:

Abdominal pain
Diarrhea
Fever
Dry mouth
Excessive sweating
Chest pain
Vomiting blood

Treatment for vomiting

Vomiting clears up on its own within 6 to 24 hours after the first occurrence. Treatment for vomiting may include:

Drinking plenty of fluids
Switching to a BRAT (bread, rice, apple, and tea) diet
Taking medication to manage nausea

When to Go to Premier Urgent Care

Seek medical treatment at Premier Urgent Care if you exhibit one of or more of the following symptoms:

Vomiting or nausea that lasts for more than a week
Diarrhea
Continuous vomiting for more than 2 to 3 hours
Symptoms of dehydration (wrinkled skin, weak pulse, unconsciousness)
Severe headaches
Abdominal pain
Fever above 101°F

At Premier Urgent Care, we have numerous options to treat vomiting and nausea. Our professional medical team is focused on treating the root cause and helping you feel better. Premier Urgent Care is open 6 days a week, Monday - Friday (8 AM to 8 PM) and Saturday (9 AM to 4 PM). We have professional doctors, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners ready to attend to your medical needs. No appointment is necessary; just walk-in anytime.

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Vomiting in children and babies

It's normal for babies and children to vomit occasionally. In most cases, it will last no longer than one to two days and isn't a sign of anything serious.

The most common cause of vomiting in children and babies is gastroenteritis. This is an infection of the gut usually caused by a virus or bacteria, which also causes diarrhoea. The symptoms can be unpleasant but your child will usually start to feel better after a few days.

However, persistent vomiting can sometimes cause your child to become severely dehydrated and occasionally it can be a sign of something more serious, such as meningitis.

This page outlines what to do if your child keeps vomiting and describes some of the common causes of vomiting in children and babies.

If your child has a high temperature, you can also read a separate page about fever in children.

What to do

If your child vomits, you should keep a close eye on them. Trust your instincts and contact your GP immediately if you're worried.

If the cause is just a tummy bug, your child should still be feeling well enough to eat, play and be their usual self. In this case, keep feeding them as normal and offer them regular drinks (see below).

But if they don't seem themself – for example, if they're floppy, irritable or less responsive – they may be seriously ill, so you should get medical help immediately.

When to get medical advice

You should contact your GP if:

your child is repeatedly vomiting and is unable to hold down fluids
you think they're dehydrated – symptoms of dehydration can include a dry mouth, crying without producing tears, urinating less or not wetting many nappies, and drowsiness
their vomit is green or contains blood
they have been vomiting for more than a day or two

Go to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department if your child is vomiting and develops sudden and severe tummy pain, or they're floppy, irritable or less responsive

Call 999 for an ambulance or go to your nearest A&E department immediately if they're vomiting and have a headache, stiff neck and a rash.

Looking after your child at home

In most cases, you can treat your child safely at home. The most important thing you can do is make sure they keep drinking fluids to prevent dehydration.

If your baby is vomiting, carry on breastfeeding or giving them milk feeds. If they seem dehydrated, they will need extra fluids. Ask your GP or pharmacist whether you should give your baby oral rehydration solution.

Oral rehydration solution is a special powder that you make into a drink. It contains sugar and salts to help replace the water and salts lost through vomiting and diarrhoea.

Children who are vomiting should keep taking small sips of clear fluid, such as water or clear broth. Fruit juice and fizzy drinks should be avoided until they're feeling better. If they're not dehydrated and haven't lost their appetite, it's fine for your child to eat solid foods as normal.

Again, speak to your GP or pharmacist if you're concerned about dehydration. They may recommend an oral rehydration solution for your child. Contact your GP or practice nurse if your child is unable to hold down oral rehydration solution.

If your child has diarrhoea and is vomiting, they shouldn't go to school or any other childcare facility until 48 hours after the last episode of diarrhoea or vomiting.

Read more about treating gastroenteritis in children.

Causes of vomiting in children

There are a number of possible causes of vomiting in children, which are described below.

Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis is an infection of the gut. It's a common cause of vomiting in children and usually lasts a few days.

Food allergy

Food allergies can cause vomiting in children, as well as other symptoms, such as a raised, red, itchy skin rash (urticaria) and swelling of the face, around the eyes, lips, tongue or the roof of the mouth.

Watch out for foods that may bring on vomiting and see your GP for a diagnosis if you think your child may have a food allergy.

Other infections

Vomiting can sometimes be a sign of an infection other than gastroenteritis, such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), middle ear infections, pneumonia or meningitis.

Contact your child's GP if they're vomiting and experiencing additional symptoms of an infection, such as a high temperature (fever) and irritability.

Appendicitis

Appendicitis is a painful swelling of the appendix, a finger-like pouch connected to the large intestine. It causes severe tummy pain that gets worse over time.

If your child has tummy pain that's gradually getting worse, contact your GP, or if they aren't open call NHS 24's 111 service immediately. You should call 999 for an ambulance if they have pain that gets worse quickly and spreads across their tummy.

In most cases of appendicitis, the appendix will need to be surgically removed as soon as possible.

Poison

Accidentally swallowing something poisonous can cause your child to vomit. If you think this is the case, contact your GP immediately or take your child to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department.

Causes of vomiting in babies

These include:

gastroenteritis
a food allergy or milk intolerance
gastro-oesophageal reflux – where stomach contents escape back up the gullet
too big a hole in the bottle teat, which causes your baby to swallow too much milk
accidentally swallowing something poisonous
congenital pyloric stenosis – a condition present at birth where the passage from the stomach to the bowel has narrowed, so food is unable to pass through easily; this causes projectile vomiting
a strangulated hernia – your baby will vomit frequently and cry as if they are in a lot of pain; this should be treated as a medical emergency
intussusception (where the bowel telescopes in on itself) – as well as vomiting, your baby may look pale, floppy and have symptoms of dehydration

Nausea and vomiting

Nausea is a painful sensation in the stomach and throat, which may be accompanied by weakness, increased salivation, sweating and often precedes vomiting.

Vomiting is a sudden involuntary emptying of the stomach.

Nausea and vomiting are symptoms of many diseases and conditions, from pregnancy to serious pathologies such as brain tumors, epilepsy and myocardial infarction.

In most cases, nausea and vomiting are not harmful to the body. However, prolonged vomiting, often in combination with diarrhea, can lead to severe dehydration and, as a result, disruption of the cardiovascular system, brain, kidneys and other organs. This is especially true for young children, who themselves cannot control the manifestations of dehydration. Pregnant women may experience so-called excessive vomiting of pregnant women, which disrupts the balance of electrolytes in the blood and threatens the life of the mother and fetus. nine0003

There are medicines available that can reduce nausea. However, in any case, it is necessary to find out its cause.

English synonyms

Nausea, emesis, vomiting, vomitus, distaste, sickness, retching, bdelygmia.

Symptoms

The duration of nausea and vomiting, the timing of their onset, and the effect of eating on them depend on their underlying cause. For example, nausea and / or vomiting almost immediately after eating may indicate gastritis (inflammation of the gastric mucosa), within 1-8 hours after eating - poisoning. nine0003

Prolonged vomiting may cause signs of dehydration:

dry mouth;
thirst;
sunken eyes;
infrequent urination, decreased amount of urine, dark urine;
in children, the fontanel can sink in - a soft area at the junction of the child's cranial bones, which normally closes by 12-18 months of age.

There are also a number of symptoms that are signs of dangerous, life-threatening conditions and require immediate medical attention:

admixture of blood in vomit;
severe headache, confusion, impaired consciousness;
abdominal pain;
signs of dehydration;
shortness of breath;
Vomiting that lasts longer than a day (for children, if it lasts for several hours, especially in combination with diarrhea and fever).

Most often, vomiting and nausea resolve within 6-24 hours. If these symptoms recur within a week and if you suspect a possible pregnancy, you should also seek medical advice. nine0003

General information about the disease

Nausea occurs when there is a decrease or absence of gastric peristalsis with simultaneous tension of the initial part of the intestine - the duodenum, which is accompanied by the reflux of part of the contents of the duodenum into the stomach. With vomiting, there is a strong contraction of the diaphragm and muscles of the anterior abdominal wall, holding the breath and a sharp release of the contents of the stomach into the esophagus and further into the oral cavity. This may be accompanied by increased salivation, sweating, weakness, dizziness. nine0003

Specific centers in the brain are responsible for the occurrence of nausea and vomiting, which receive information from the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, vestibular apparatus, other parts of the brain, kidneys, and also react to the chemical composition of the blood, including toxins, drugs , metabolic products. These centers trigger and control the activity of the muscles involved in nausea and vomiting.

Causes of nausea and vomiting may be as follows. nine0003

Irritation of the gastric mucosa. In this case, nausea and vomiting are protective reactions of the body aimed at eliminating the damaging agent.
Intestinal infections - rotavirus, salmonellosis, botulism, dysentery, etc. - in addition to nausea and vomiting, are accompanied by pain in the abdomen, fever. The most common infection is rotavirus. It is especially common among children attending kindergartens and nurseries, and occurs with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, which usually lasts 1-2 days. After the disease, immunity is formed. nine0028
Food poisoning. In this case, vomiting occurs within a few hours after eating.
Gastric ulcer - damage to a section of the gastric mucosa due to the action of gastric juice. May be accompanied by belching, heartburn, abdominal pain.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a chronic disease in which there is a regular reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus with damage to the mucous membrane of the esophagus by acidic gastric juice.
Effects on the central nervous system and vestibular apparatus. In this case, nausea and vomiting are caused by irritation of certain centers of the brain.
An increase in intracranial pressure in brain injuries, tumors, infections (meningitis, encephalitis) may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
Stimulation of the vestibular apparatus. It includes labyrinthitis (inflammation of the inner ear), motion sickness in transport, and other diseases and conditions in which excessive irritation of the balance organ occurs. nine0028
Headache, especially in migraine. Migraine is a neurological disease characterized by severe headache, usually on one side, which may be exacerbated by bright lights or loud noises and accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
Sunstroke. A condition that occurs when the head is exposed to the sun for a long time. Often found in children. May be accompanied by lethargy, weakness, nausea, vomiting, pallor, disorientation, loss of consciousness. nine0028
Diseases of other organs - diabetes mellitus, urolithiasis, hepatitis, pancreatitis, certain malignant neoplasms, mental illness (depression, anorexia, bulimia) and other diseases.
Medicinal products used in the treatment of oncological diseases, radiation therapy.
Pregnancy (first trimester).
In children under one year old, vomiting may be a sign of pyloric stenosis, intestinal intussusception, and often accompanies viral diseases (influenza, SARS). Pyloric stenosis is a narrowing or complete obstruction of the opening between the stomach and the duodenum. Intestinal intussusception is a condition in which a segment of the intestine is embedded in the lumen of an adjacent section of the intestine, which leads to the development of intestinal obstruction. nine0028

In adults, the most common causes of vomiting and nausea are intestinal infections, food poisoning, motion sickness; in children, intestinal infections, food poisoning, overeating, as well as a severe cough and any illness with a high fever.

Who is at risk?

Preschoolers.
Pregnant.
Undergoing anticancer therapy.
People with chronic diseases of the digestive system. nine0028
People with mental illness.

Diagnosis

When determining the cause of nausea and vomiting, their duration, the time of their occurrence, the presence of signs of other diseases and conditions are important. Laboratory and instrumental studies are also important.

Laboratory diagnostics

Complete blood count. An increase in white blood cells may indicate an infection as a possible cause of nausea and vomiting. An increase in the number of red blood cells indicates thickening of the blood due to dehydration. nine0028
ESR. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Normally, red blood cells repel each other. With inflammation, the protein composition of the blood changes, electrolytes stick together more easily, and the rate of their sedimentation increases. Thus, an increase in ESR may indicate infection or chronic inflammation as a possible cause of nausea and vomiting.
Blood electrolytes
Potassium and sodium in blood serum. They participate in the transmission of a nerve impulse, muscle contraction, maintaining the acid-base balance of the blood. A decrease in serum potassium and sodium levels may indicate blood clotting and dehydration. Sodium levels can increase with kidney disease, adrenal dysfunction. nine0028
Serum calcium. Calcium is involved in the formation of bone tissue, the conduction of a nerve impulse, and the work of some enzymes. A change in its level is a sign of diseases of the kidneys, thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, and some neoplasms.
Serum glucose. Glucose is the main source of energy in the body. An increase in its concentration is characteristic of diabetes mellitus. A significant increase in its level may indicate diabetic ketoacidosis, a severe, life-threatening condition that develops with a lack of insulin. Without insulin, the body's cells cannot use glucose for energy. As a result, the body begins to use fats, the breakdown of which produces toxic substances - ketones. Thus, the level of glucose and ketones in the blood rises. Diabetic ketoacidosis can lead to coma or even death if left untreated. nine0028
Total amylase in serum. This is an enzyme that is produced in the pancreas and salivary glands. Essential for the digestion of carbohydrates. An increase in the level of amylase may indicate a pathological process in the pancreas.
Lipase. An enzyme produced in the pancreas that is involved in the digestion of fats. An elevated lipase concentration is the most specific sign of pancreatic damage.
β-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG) is a hormone that is produced by the membrane of the embryo and is involved in maintaining pregnancy. A blood test for beta-hCG is used to diagnose pregnancy. Home pregnancy tests are also based on determining its amount in the urine, however, determining its level in the blood is more reliable and can detect pregnancy already on the 6-8th day after fertilization. nine0028
Urinalysis with microscopy. Dark, concentrated urine can be a sign of dehydration.
Sowing feces for flora. Used for suspected intestinal infection.

Other tests

Ultrasound examination (ultrasound), X-ray of the abdominal organs. They are used to assess the state of internal organs and identify the cause of nausea and vomiting.
X-ray, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the skull. It is used to diagnose injuries, diseases of the brain. nine0028
Endoscopic examination of the gastrointestinal tract. This is an examination of the digestive organs with the help of an endoscope - a special device in the form of a tube equipped with an optical system. During endoscopy, you can take a sample of tissue from the wall of the digestive tract for subsequent microscopic examination.
Lumbar puncture for suspected diseases of the central nervous system. This is taking a sample of the fluid around the spinal cord. It is carried out after anesthesia. For research, a needle is used, which is inserted between the second and third or third and fourth lumbar vertebrae. The patient at this time sits or lies on his side, the back is maximally bent. nine0028
Audiometry and electronystagmography. It is used to diagnose diseases of the vestibular apparatus. Audiometry is a test performed by an audiologist to determine hearing acuity. To do this, use a special device audiometer. Electronystagmography is a method of recording involuntary movements of the eyeballs during head movements, temperature changes, which provides information about the state of the vestibular apparatus.
Electroencephalography (EEG) is a study of the electrical activity of the brain using sensors that are placed on the head. It is carried out with suspicion of a neurological or mental pathology. This way evaluate the state of the brain, its response to stimuli. nine0028

Treatment

Treatment depends on the underlying cause of the nausea and vomiting. There are also ways to help reduce these symptoms and prevent dehydration:

Drink slowly, in small sips;
eat in small portions, do not mix cold and hot food, exclude fatty, spicy, sweet, fried foods;
do not eat during an attack of nausea;
Do not brush your teeth immediately after eating; nine0028
Avoid physical activity immediately after meals.

In addition, there are antiemetic drugs, but they should only be used as prescribed by a doctor after determining the cause of unpleasant symptoms.

Prevention

Eating only fresh, properly processed foods.
Proper diet, especially in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Recommended tests

Complete blood count
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
Serum potassium
Serum sodium
Serum calcium
Total amylase in serum
Lipase
Serum glucose
Beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (beta hCG)
Urinalysis with microscopy
Daily urine potassium
Daily urine calcium
Fecal culture for pathogenic flora (disease group and typhoid-paratyphoid group)
Cytological examination of the material obtained during endoscopy (EGD, bronchoscopy, laryngoscopy, cystoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy)
Cytological examination of punctates, scrapings of other organs and tissues

Temperature, vomiting, abdominal pain…

Publication date: August 07, 2018 . Category: News.

Summer is the time for holidays and vacations. The desire of parents to pamper their children with fresh vegetables, fruits and berries from the garden is understandable, to take them to swim in the nearest body of water. But the joy of communicating with nature can be overshadowed by an enterovirus infection.

The beginning of the epidemic rise of this disease, as a rule, occurs in June, and the peak is in August-September. Last year, 14 cases of enterovirus infection were registered in the district (4 cases of gastroenteritis, 10 cases of herpangina). In the region, 481 such cases were registered, of which 459cases in children.

- A common symptom for all types of this infection is fever and a sharp increase in temperature, which usually lasts for 3-5 days, - says the infectious disease doctor of the district hospital E.V. Vasilyeva. - If the infection has an intestinal form, the child will have abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting. If the mucous membranes are attacked, there will be signs of a respiratory disease - runny nose, cough, sore throat.

Well, if a child has a headache at a high temperature, vomiting does not stop, there is photophobia, the doctor already has reason to suspect serous-viral meningitis. nine0003

- Enterovirus infection is a "disease of dirty hands," continues Elena Viktorovna. - The name is one, but there are a great many diseases that can be attributed to this type. It affects not only the gastrointestinal tract. It can affect the mouth and eyes. Becoming the cause of herpetic sore throat or conjunctivitis, it can cause fever with or without a rash, and can also cause very serious diseases - serous viral meningitis or encephalitis.

nine0002 The exact same answer to the question of whether the child has an enterovirus infection, and what kind of virus struck him, only laboratory tests will help.

Enterovirus most often affects children under the age of 10 years. The most likely mode of infection is waterborne. The virus can enter the body when children splash in ponds and swallow water. Or if they drink unboiled water.

Airborne and household contact are also options for the widespread spread of infection, primarily among organized preschool children and younger schoolchildren. Food products, in particular, fresh vegetables, fruits, berries, can also be a source of infection. nine0003

How to protect yourself from infection? First of all, observe the rules of personal hygiene. Use boiled or bottled water for drinking. Be sure to wash your hands with soap before eating and after each visit to the toilet. Ventilate the rooms more often and carry out wet cleaning in the apartment.

Vegetables and fruits (including bananas, watermelons, kiwi) should be thoroughly washed with a brush with soap and rinsed with boiling water before use. The same goes for eggs. You should not purchase food from private individuals, in places not designated for trade.