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What Can Cause Fever and Vomiting?

By Meshell Powell
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 11,133
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Fever and vomiting can be troublesome symptoms with a variety of potential causes, including gastroenteritis, influenza, and meningitis. Appendicitis, an injury to the brain, or gallbladder disease can also cause these symptoms.

Gastroenteritis is among the most common causes of fever and vomiting. This condition is caused by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, or parasites invading the digestive tract. As the body fights them off, it develops a fever; vomiting occurs as the stomach tries to eliminate the pathogen. In some cases, dairy allergies, environmental toxins, or the use of certain medications may cause gastroenteritis. Most patients can treat this condition at home by getting adequate amounts of rest and drinking plenty of fluids, although extreme dehydration may need to be treated in a hospital setting.

Influenza, or the flu, often causes a fever, and some people experience vomiting. This respiratory illness may cause additional symptoms such as coughing, muscle pain, or sneezing. Without treatment, influenza can lead to potentially fatal complications, especially in small children or the elderly. While there is no cure for influenza, medications can be prescribed to lessen the severity and duration of the symptoms.

Meningitis is a serious medical condition that causes the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord to swell. In addition to fever and vomiting, neck stiffness and a headache may be present. Hospitalization is almost always required so that the patient can receive aggressive medical treatment. The medications that are used during treatment depend on whether the underlying cause is bacterial or viral in nature.

Appendicitis and gallbladder disease are prone to causing a fever, moderate to severe abdominal pain, and vomiting. Surgical removal of the appendix or gallbladder is often necessary in order to avoid severe complications. If the appendix ruptures, infection can quickly spread throughout the body and cause permanent damage or even death. Infection can spread to surrounding tissues and organs from the gallbladder as well, so removal is the standard method of treatment.

Brain injury is yet another possible cause of fever and vomiting. Sports injuries, automobile accidents, or physical abuse are potential causes of injury to the brain. Depending on the extent of the injury, surgery, physical therapy, or more intensive life support measures may be required.

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Discussion Comments
By bluedolphin — On Aug 12, 2014

I had fever and vomiting when I had food poisoning. I also had diarrhea and a severe headache. It was quite bad. I actually had to be taken to the emergency room where they gave me a serum with antibiotics and anti-nausea medicine. The nurse said that I was very dehydrated because even after all the serum, I did not feel the need to go to the restroom.

By discographer — On Aug 11, 2014

@literally45-- I'm not sure. It would be better if an expert on this topic answered you. I think what happens is that when certain parts of the brain is damaged, like the nervous system, there are certain consequences of that. Our brain controls the function of all of our organs. So when something is wrong on that end, there can be a variety of physical symptoms as a result. So nausea and vomiting can occur that way.

Fever is usually a sign of an infection. It means that there is a virus or bacteria that the body is fighting. The body increases body temperature in order to kill off some of the bacteria or virus. So if there is fever and vomiting together, there is definitely an infection somewhere. Vomiting is not always accompanied by fever but if you go to the hospital with vomiting, they will definitely check your temperature because that's also a symptom that needs to be considered.

By literally45 — On Aug 11, 2014

Why does brain injury cause fever and vomiting? And does fever accompany vomiting in all infectious cases?

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