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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is It Normal To Have Brown Colored Vomit Due To Flu Or Food Infection?

My boyfriend is either suffering from the flu or from food poisoning. He's been puking for nearly 24 hours now - he emptied the contents of his stomach in the first few hours and from then on puked up whatever water he tried to ingest. Just now his vomit was brown. Is that worrisome or normal?
Wed, 12 Mar 2014
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi there,

If he is continuously vomiting, he might need to visit a hospital and get iv fluids as he is not able to retain anything orally.

Any associated symptoms like loose stools, fever or stomach cramps.

If the vomitus has brown streaks, it could be due to small dried blood, from the irritated areas due to continuous retching.

Do give him Oral rehydration solution( ORS) few sips every 15 minutes or so.
Watery rice gruel can also be given. Probiotics like lactobacilli will also help maintain the normal gut flora. Main thing to do is rehydration.

However, if vomiting persists or he is drowsy/lethargic, please take him to the hospital for IV fluids.

Hope this answer was helpful.

Take care.

Regards,
Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan
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Is It Normal To Have Brown Colored Vomit Due To Flu Or Food Infection?

Hi there, If he is continuously vomiting, he might need to visit a hospital and get iv fluids as he is not able to retain anything orally. Any associated symptoms like loose stools, fever or stomach cramps. If the vomitus has brown streaks, it could be due to small dried blood, from the irritated areas due to continuous retching. Do give him Oral rehydration solution( ORS) few sips every 15 minutes or so. Watery rice gruel can also be given. Probiotics like lactobacilli will also help maintain the normal gut flora. Main thing to do is rehydration. However, if vomiting persists or he is drowsy/lethargic, please take him to the hospital for IV fluids. Hope this answer was helpful. Take care. Regards, Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan