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Original poster

Can a chest infection cause vomiting?

16 replies

coffeepleeease · 29/10/2022 09:51

DD (6) has had a cough/cold/high temp for a week, saw a doctor last night who heard crackles in her chest so prescribed antibiotics for a chest infection. She's been sick a few times when coughing which I know is normal, but she's also saying she feels sick and has been sick twice without coughing beforehand, once yesterday afternoon and again this morning. Its 10am here and she's saying she feels sick now. She didn't eat anything at all yesterday and hasn't eaten yet this morning, but she is drinking. Would you assume it's just the infection and/or nausea because she hasn't eaten for a day and a half? I'm worried she might have a stomach bug on top of the chest infection, but then she's always sick a lot more with a stomach bug and she hasn't been anywhere to catch one! Thoughts?

OP posts:
Original poster
coffeepleeease · 29/10/2022 09:53

I should add that she does often vomit with a fever but she hasn't got a fever at the moment.

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KangarooKenny · 29/10/2022 09:54

Hrs it can, but she needs to eat. Is she managing to keep squash down ?

KangarooKenny · 29/10/2022 09:54

*yes

SilverGlassHare · 29/10/2022 09:56

Having an empty stomach could cause nausea- especially if she’s also taking the antibiotics (which can also cause nausea). Would she eat some toast? Maybe soup?

emerald7 · 29/10/2022 09:56

It's could be the mucus she is swallowing causing her to feel sick and vomit.

Also the infection and the general feeling of being unwell as to why she has a reduced appetite, when she's hungry she will eat just for now encourage light snacks and keep on top of the fluids as you are.

I hope she feels better soon!

Ollybob · 29/10/2022 09:58

It's probably just be the antibiotics making her feel sicky especially if she's not taking them with food.
Coughing a lot can make you feel queasy even when your not actively coughing too.

SilverGlassHare · 29/10/2022 09:59

I always used to vomit when I had a bad respiratory infection - my mum was told the glands in my stomach swelled like the glands in my neck. Not sure how accurate that is!

Original poster
coffeepleeease · 29/10/2022 10:11

Sorry should have said she hasn't started the antibiotics yet as it was an out of hours appointment last night so no local pharmacies were open. Her dad (we're separated) is being the antibiotics soon

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Original poster
coffeepleeease · 29/10/2022 10:15

I am offering foods I know she likes, nibbly bits, but she's refusing everything. I know hunger can cause nausea but can it actually make you vomit?

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Original poster
coffeepleeease · 29/10/2022 10:15

SilverGlassHare · 29/10/2022 09:59

I always used to vomit when I had a bad respiratory infection - my mum was told the glands in my stomach swelled like the glands in my neck. Not sure how accurate that is!

That's interesting thank you

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serenghetti2011 · 29/10/2022 10:26

Could be she’s swallowing any gunk from her lungs if she’s coughing that can make you nauseous and vomit. But generally if she’s unwell and feeling poorly vomiting isn’t unusual. Give her small amounts to eat but make sure she’s drinking plenty. Having loads to eat when you’re feeling quite unwell isn’t always very pleasant tbh. Especially if it’s going to come back up. I would push fluids and little amounts of dry ish food, rich te biccies, or toast plain crisps just things she can nibble on. Painkillers too as can be sore to be coughing a lot.

Original poster
coffeepleeease · 29/10/2022 10:31

serenghetti2011 · 29/10/2022 10:26

Could be she’s swallowing any gunk from her lungs if she’s coughing that can make you nauseous and vomit. But generally if she’s unwell and feeling poorly vomiting isn’t unusual. Give her small amounts to eat but make sure she’s drinking plenty. Having loads to eat when you’re feeling quite unwell isn’t always very pleasant tbh. Especially if it’s going to come back up. I would push fluids and little amounts of dry ish food, rich te biccies, or toast plain crisps just things she can nibble on. Painkillers too as can be sore to be coughing a lot.

Thank you she's just vomited again but then asked for toast so I've cut up half a slice in tiny bits for her to nibble on. I'm worried if it carries on she won't be able to keep down the antibiotics

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SilverGlassHare · 29/10/2022 11:08

coffeepleeease · 29/10/2022 10:15

I am offering foods I know she likes, nibbly bits, but she's refusing everything. I know hunger can cause nausea but can it actually make you vomit?

It would certainly make me retch, at least. When I was a child I’d vomit water at breakfast time every day if anyone tried to make me eat, I couldn’t eat until I’d been up several hours.

Get her on the antibiotics ASAP and keep a really close eye on her.

SilverGlassHare · 29/10/2022 11:15

Also if she’s been coughing a lot, her throat might be scratched/inflamed and if she has a strong gag reflex, just the increased ‘thickness’ of her throat may be making her gag. That happens to me too - I’m a right vomiter!

SilverGlassHare · 29/10/2022 11:15

Not to worry you but just to be on the safe side, look up the signs of sepsis and keep an eye for those too.

Original poster
coffeepleeease · 29/10/2022 11:39

SilverGlassHare · 29/10/2022 11:15

Also if she’s been coughing a lot, her throat might be scratched/inflamed and if she has a strong gag reflex, just the increased ‘thickness’ of her throat may be making her gag. That happens to me too - I’m a right vomiter!

Oh yes she has a very sensitive gag reflex! Thank you I will keep a close eye on her

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