Why Is My Child Throwing Up with No Fever? 12 Possible Causes

Kids bring joy to our lives! Nothing compares to your child looking hale and hearty. However, if your child is sick and throwing up, it can cause panic. Sometimes, kids heave till they are exhausted, leaving parents helpless. Learn about why your child may be vomiting and how to help them recover.

Vomiting is your body’s way of getting rid of something harmful in the digestive system. But vomiting is usually a symptom of an underlying condition.

What causes vomiting with no fever in a child?

Causes of vomiting with no fever

1. Foreign body ingestion: A child may swallow an object and it may get stuck in the throat, causing vomiting. If it is a food item, give your child sips of water and ask them to look up. If it does not help or your child appears to be choking, call 911.
2. Viral gastroenteritis: Stomach flu may cause extreme vomiting episodes with or without fever. Keep your child hydrated and monitor their urine output.
3. Food poisoning: Bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella, and staph can secrete toxins if present in stale or undercooked food. Symptoms and signs of food poisoning may be vomiting and blood-tinged diarrhea with or without fever.
4. Head injury: A child who has banged his or her head or has had a nasty fall may complain of headache and increased sleepiness. Vomiting may also occur.
5. Gastritis: Gastritis due to spicy foods, viral infections, and antibiotics can often cause episodes of vomiting. Make sure your child is hydrated and give your child vanilla ice cream or popsicles to suck on.
6. Acid reflux: Some kids may suffer from acid reflux, especially at night.
7. Food allergies: If your kid is allergic to certain proteins, there may be nausea, bloating, and vomiting when your child consumes these.
8. Medication side effects: Your child may have side effects from painkillers, antibiotics, iron supplements, and chemotherapy drugs that cause vomiting.
9. Motion sickness and air sickness: It is another common issue in kids. Children may throw up while traveling.
10. Ear infections: A lot of kids vomit when they have ear infections.
11. Upper respiratory tract infections: Phlegm, tickled throat, and headache can induce nausea and vomiting.
12. Intestinal blockages: Serious developmental or birth anomalies result in intestinal obstruction in newborns. Volvulus, pyloric stenosis, obstructive bands in the stomach, and toxic megacolon can all cause continuous vomiting in a child.

General causes of vomiting in children

Some common causes of vomiting in babies and children include:

• Overfeeding
• Air ingestion
• Indigestion
• Drinking milk too quickly
• Food allergies
• Viral or bacterial infection
• Fever
• Lactose intolerance
• Gastritis due to iron supplements or fever medicine
• Other infections including urinary tract infections, middle ear infections, pneumonia, or meningitis
• Accidental ingestion of poison
• Congenital pyloric stenosis
• Intussusception
• Diabetic ketoacidosis

General causes of vomiting in adults

Some common causes of vomiting in adults include:

• Indigestion
• Overeating
• Food poisoning
• Bacterial or viral infections
• Acid reflux disease
• Hepatitis
• Gallbladder infection/gallbladder stones
• Motion sickness
• Inner ear disorders
• Migraine
• Medications
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Recreational drugs
• Anxiety
• Appendicitis
• Severe pain
• Crohn’s disease
• Head injury
• Brain infection or inflammation
• Brain tumors
• Increased intracranial pressure
• Bowel obstruction
• Esophageal disorders
• Allergies
• Lactose intolerance
• Exposure to toxins
• Vomiting during pregnancy
• Noxious sight or smells

How can I help my child recover from vomiting?

In many cases, simple home remedies can help your child recover from vomiting within a few days. If your child’s symptoms don’t get better even after a few days, you should seek medical attention.

Home remedies

• Rest: Avoid feeding your child for around 30-60 minutes after the vomiting episode.
• Replacing fluids: Give your child small amounts of fluids every 5-10 minutes to prevent dehydration.
• Solid food: If your child is hungry, try giving small amounts of bland food.
• OTC medications: In consultation with your pediatrician, you may be able to give your child OTC anti-vomiting medications or antiemetics.

Medical management

If symptoms do not resolve, your pediatrician may recommend antibiotics, fluid replacement, or antiemetics.

What are signs and symptoms of dehydration?

It is important to identify the signs of dehydration so you can take appropriate measures.

Children

Signs and symptoms in infants and children are dry mouth, decreased urination, sunken eyes, excessive crying, irritability, and slow skin retraction.

Adults

Signs and symptoms in adults are extreme thirst, dryness of the mouth and tongue, dry eyes, decreased urination, fatigue, lethargy, irritability, and slow skin retraction.

When to seek medical attention for vomiting

If vomiting is accompanied by blood, high-grade fever, severe headache, weakness, mental confusion, drowsiness, severe abdominal pain, rapid breathing, or severe dehydration, seek immediate medical attention.