RFSymptoms: Safety netting advice
AdultsDiarrhoea and vomiting
DATE LAST REVIEWED: 05/11/2026
When to seek further review
- Contact the GP or NHS 111 if vomiting lasts more than 2 days or diarrhoea lasts more than 7 days.
- Get urgent advice today if fluids cannot be kept down, there is blood in diarrhoea, or there are signs of dehydration such as much less pee, a very dry mouth or dizziness.
- For a baby or child, seek help sooner if feeding stops, feeds are much smaller than usual or there are fewer wet nappies.
- Get early advice for babies under 12 months, older or frail people, or anyone with weakened immune defences.
- For mild symptoms without any of the urgent or emergency warning signs listed here, a community pharmacist can advise on self-care and suitable medicines. Tell them the patient’s age, other medicines and any pregnancy or breastfeeding. They can direct you to another service if needed.
- For an urgent problem that is not life-threatening, NHS 111 may direct you to an Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) rather than a GP appointment. UTCs can assess many minor illnesses and injuries. Services, opening hours and ages treated vary, so call NHS 111 if you are unsure where to go. Do not delay emergency help for any of the emergency signs below.
- Do not wait for the suggested review time if symptoms become worse, new symptoms appear, or you are worried.
- If you need medical advice and are unsure which service can help, call NHS 111. This includes when your GP is closed or you cannot get the help you need. NHS 111 can direct you to an appropriate local service. You can call even if you are not sure whether symptoms are serious.
When to get emergency help
(Immediately dial 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department)
- Blood in vomit or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
- Green vomit in an adult, or yellow-green or green vomit in a child.
- Sudden severe tummy pain, or a swollen and hard tummy.
- A large amount of bleeding from the bottom or black sticky poo.
- A severe headache with a stiff neck, discomfort in bright light, or a rash that does not fade when pressed with a clear glass. Do not wait for a rash to appear.
- Possible poisoning, collapse or signs of severe dehydration with marked drowsiness or confusion.
- Severe difficulty breathing, such as gasping or being unable to speak normally.
- New confusion or not making sense when speaking.
- Being very difficult to wake.
- Collapse or loss of consciousness.
- Blue, grey, unusually pale or blotchy skin or lips, especially when feeling very unwell.
How to spot sepsis
Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection. It can get worse quickly. If someone is seriously unwell and may have sepsis, call 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department. Do not wait for every sign, a high temperature or a rash.
An unwell child under 5 who has not had a pee or wet nappy for 12 hours needs emergency assessment. If you are unsure and there are no emergency signs, call NHS 111 for advice.
Sources
- NHS - Diarrhoea and vomitinghttps://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/diarrhoea-and-vomiting/
- NHS - How pharmacies can helphttps://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/pharmacies/how-pharmacies-can-help/
- NHS - When to go to an Urgent Treatment Centrehttps://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/urgent-and-emergency-care-services/when-to-visit-an-urgent-treatment-centre/
- NHS - Sepsishttps://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sepsis/
- NHS - When to use NHS 111https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/urgent-and-emergency-care-services/when-to-use-111/