Sudden nausea and vomiting are most often caused by a stomach virus, food poisoning, or motion sickness, and usually settle within 24 to 48 hours. The most useful step is to rest your stomach, then sip small amounts of clear fluids or an oral rehydration solution to stay hydrated, gradually adding bland foods. When nausea is persistent or interfering with fluids, prescription anti-nausea medication (such as ondansetron) can help. A licensed clinician can review what's driving it online and send a prescription to your pharmacy the same day when appropriate.
Seek emergency care if: you have blood in your vomit or vomit that looks like coffee grounds, severe abdominal or chest pain, signs of severe dehydration, or vomiting after a head injury — these need emergency evaluation.
See a clinician nowWhat is nausea and vomiting?
Nausea — the feeling you might vomit — has dozens of causes. Most acute episodes are from viral gastroenteritis, food poisoning, or motion sickness and resolve in 24–48 hours.
Persistent nausea (>48 hours), severe nausea preventing fluid intake, or nausea with red flag symptoms needs evaluation. Modern antiemetics work well and can dramatically improve quality of life.
Do I have nausea and vomiting? Common signs
If most of these describe what you're experiencing, telehealth may be a good next step:
What causes it
Infectious (norovirus, food poisoning), medications (chemotherapy, opioids, antibiotics), pregnancy, migraine, motion sickness, anxiety, GI conditions (gastroparesis, GERD, IBS), inner ear disorders, more serious (appendicitis, bowel obstruction, pancreatitis).
Is it contagious?
Depends on cause. Viral gastroenteritis is highly contagious.
The first goal isn't finding the cause — it's breaking the cycle. Antiemetics let you keep fluids down while you figure out what's going on.
Can it be treated online?
Routine acute nausea is well-suited to telehealth. Severe dehydration, bloody vomit, severe abdominal pain, chest pain, head injury, persistent vomiting >48 hours, or pregnancy with severe symptoms — need in-person care.
How nausea and vomiting is treated
Ondansetron (Zofran) is first-line — oral tablet or dissolving tablet, every 8 hours as needed. Promethazine (Phenergan) alternative, also helps with motion sickness. Metoclopramide for gastroparesis/migraine-associated. Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) for motion sickness.
Self-care while you wait
- Small sips of clear fluids — Pedialyte, water, broth
- Bland food when ready — BRAT diet (banana, rice, applesauce, toast)
- Avoid greasy, spicy, dairy
- Ginger may help (real ginger ale, tea, candies)
- Rest in cool quiet environment
- Avoid strong odors
- Acupressure wristbands (P6 point) help some
How long does it last?
Acute nausea usually 24–48 hours. Chronic causes need ongoing management.
Frequently asked questions
Is Zofran available online?
Yes — common Rx via telehealth for acute and chronic nausea.
Can I get a prescription if I might be pregnant?
Yes — ondansetron, doxylamine, and vitamin B6 are commonly used for pregnancy nausea. Discuss with your clinician.
Why does motion make me sick?
Mismatch between visual and inner ear signals. Antihistamines (dimenhydrinate, meclizine) help.
How long can I take antiemetics?
Short-term use is fine. Chronic use should be reassessed for cause and side effects.
Should I 'starve' a stomach bug?
Not anymore — small sips of fluids and reintroducing bland food as tolerated is better than fasting.
