When should I go to the ER for stomach flu?

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Most stomach flu (viral gastroenteritis) is miserable but safe at home, and the ER threshold is about dehydration and a short list of danger signs, not about how bad you feel. The dehydration red flags, per MedlinePlus: very little or no urine, or urine that is dark and concentrated; dizziness or fainting when standing; a dry or sticky mouth; lethargy or confusion; in kids, no tears when crying, no wet diapers for 6-plus hours, or a sunken soft spot in infants. Those mean IV fluids are the treatment, which is an ER or urgent-care visit. The danger signs that suggest something other than simple gastroenteritis: blood in vomit or stool (or black, tarry stool), severe or localized abdominal pain (especially right-lower, which is appendix territory), fever above 104 F, vomiting that prevents keeping even small sips down for 24 hours, or symptoms lasting beyond a few days. High-risk people get lower thresholds: infants, elderly adults, pregnant women, and the immunocompromised dehydrate faster and tolerate it worse. What actually helps at home while you ride it out: small, frequent sips of oral rehydration solution (or diluted sports drinks, broth, ice pops), then bland food as appetite returns; skip anti-diarrheals if there is blood or high fever. Afterward, expect a couple of days of fatigue, and ease back into dairy and rich food last.

When should I go to the ER for stomach flu?

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