Diarrhoea and vomiting can usually be treated at home. The most important thing is to have lots of fluids to avoid dehydration.

• stay at home and get plenty of rest

• drink lots of fluids, such as water or squash \u2013 take small sips if you feel sick

• carry on breast or bottle feeding your baby \u2013 if they're being sick, try giving small feeds more often than usual

• give babies on formula or solid foods small sips of water between feeds

• eat when you feel able to \u2013 it may help to avoid foods that are fatty or spicy

• take paracetamol if you're in discomfort \u2013 check the leaflet before giving it to your child

• do not have fruit juice or fizzy drinks \u2013 they can make diarrhoea worse

• do not make baby formula weaker \u2013 use it at its usual strength

• do not give children under 12 medicine to stop diarrhoea

• do not give aspirin to children under 16

Stay off school or work until you've not been sick or had diarrhoea for at least 2 days.

If you have a high temperature or do not feel well enough to do your normal activities, try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until you feel better.

To help avoid spreading an infection:

• wash your hands with soap and water frequently
• wash any clothing or bedding that has poo or vomit on it separately on a hot wash
• clean toilet seats, flush handles, taps, surfaces and door handles every day
• do not prepare food for other people, if possible
• do not share towels, flannels, cutlery or utensils
• do not use a swimming pool until at least 48 hours after your symptoms stop

Speak to a pharmacist if:

• you or your child (over 5 years) have signs of dehydration, such as dark, smelly pee or peeing less than usual
• you're an older person, have a weakened immune system, or have other health conditions that increase your risk of dehydration
• you need to stop diarrhoea for a few hours

They may recommend:

• oral rehydration powder that you mix with water to make a drink
• medicine to stop diarrhoea for a few hours, like loperamide (not suitable for children under 12)

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• \n you're worried about a baby under 12 months\n
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• \n your child stops breast or bottle feeding while they're ill\n
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• \n a child under 5 years has signs of\n \n dehydration\n \n , such as fewer wet nappies\n
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• \n you or your child (over 5 years) still have signs of dehydration after using oral rehydration sachets\n
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• \n you or your child keep being sick and cannot keep fluid down\n
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• \n you or your child have bloody diarrhoea or bleeding from the bottom\n
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• \n you or your child have diarrhoea for more than 7 days or vomiting for more than 2 days\n
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\n 111 will tell you what to do. They can arrange a phone call from a nurse or doctor if you need one.\n

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• \n vomit blood or have vomit that looks like ground coffee\n
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• \n have green vomit (adults)\n
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• \n have yellow-green or green vomit (children)\n
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• \n may have swallowed something poisonous\n
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• \n have a stiff neck and pain when looking at bright lights\n
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• \n have a sudden, severe headache\n
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• \n have a sudden, severe tummy ache\n
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• \n have blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue - on brown or black skin this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet\n
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• \n are having severe difficulty breathing, or taking lots of quick, short breaths\n
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• \n are confused or not responding as usual\n
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The most common causes of diarrhoea and vomiting are:

• a stomach bug
• food poisoning

Diarrhoea and vomiting can usually be treated at home by drinking lots of fluids and getting plenty of rest until you feel better.

You can get medicines from a pharmacy to help with diarrhoea and vomiting, such as rehydration powder, that stop you becoming dehydrated.

Diarrhoea and vomiting are most commonly caused by a stomach bug or food poisoning, but there are many other possible causes.