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Severe vomiting or diarrhea (dehydration)

Use when someone can't stop throwing up or has bad diarrhea and may be getting dehydrated, including babies, older adults and people living outside.

In danger right now: call 911. Crisis or thoughts of suicide: call or text 988. Not sure where to start? Call the Silver City Gospel Mission: 575-388-5071. Police, fire or sheriff, not an emergency: 575-388-8840 (Central Dispatch). Print our list of phone numbers → · Food pantry calendar → · Free meals calendar → · Getting there: bus and rides →
These are the same steps our staff use when they help someone. "They" means the person who needs help: you, or someone you are helping. Go in order, and call ahead when you can.
In this guide
  1. Call 911 for these danger signs
  2. Look for dehydration
  3. Help them drink
  4. Get care soon if
  5. Stop it from spreading

1Call 911 for these danger signs

Call 911 if they are confused, pass out, can't stay awake, or have a fast heartbeat and fast breathing.
Also call 911 for vomit with blood or that looks like coffee grounds, black or bloody poop with weakness, or very bad belly pain.
911 (Grant County Regional Dispatch)
Emergency: police, fire, ambulance
911
Silver City · 24/7
If they may have swallowed something harmful, call poison control.
New Mexico Poison and Drug Information Center (UNM)
Poison control
800-222-1222
· 24/7

2Look for dehydration

You can ask"When did you last pee? Can you keep water down?"
Signs: very thirsty, dry mouth, little or dark pee, dizzy when standing, very tired.
In babies: no wet diaper in 3 hours or more, no tears, a sunken soft spot on the head, very sleepy.

3Help them drink

Give small sips often. A spoonful every few minutes is better than big gulps.
Best: an oral rehydration drink like Pedialyte, from a store or pharmacy. Water and clear broth also help.
Avoid alcohol, coffee and very sugary drinks like soda or undiluted juice.
Keep breastfeeding or formula for babies.
When they can keep fluids down, try plain foods like crackers, rice, bananas or toast.

4Get care soon if

They can't keep any fluids down for most of a day, or a baby can't keep anything down for a few hours.
Diarrhea lasts more than 2 days for an adult or 1 day for a child.
They have a high fever, bad belly pain, or signs of dehydration that don't get better.
Hidalgo Medical Servicesnot yet confirmed: call first
Call4Health: After-hours nurse advice line
855-742-3400
· After hours
Silver Health CARE
Urgent care (walk-in)
575-538-2981
1600 E 32nd St, Silver City · Urgent care Tue-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-3pm (closed Sun-Mon); clinic Mon-Fri 8-5
Gila Regional Medical Center
Emergency room
575-538-4000 · 24/7: 911
1313 E. 32nd St., Silver City · 24/7

5Stop it from spreading

Wash hands with soap and water after the bathroom and before eating. Hand gel does not kill some stomach bugs.
Clean vomit and diarrhea with a bleach cleaner. Wash dirty clothes and bedding in hot water.
At the Gospel MissionShowers and laundry are free at the Mission on weekdays. Sign up 9:30-11:00.
If the water may be bad, see the guide "Told to boil water, or the water is off or unsafe".

More help like this

See all guides in Emergency and first aid →

This guide is general information only, not medical, legal or other professional advice. Places and rules change, so please call before you go. In an emergency, call 911; in a mental health crisis, call or text 988. Disclaimer

Know a better way? Is something out of date?

If a number or place here is wrong, you know a better resource, or you know a better way to help, tell us. We automatically check reliable sources and update supported routine details. Unclear changes and safety guidance go to our staff for review.

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Print these steps · Find more places to get help · Hours and numbers change; please call ahead. Something wrong? Tell us
Questions, or want someone to walk through this with you? The Silver City Gospel Mission, 111 S. Texas St., Silver City, 575-388-5071, weekdays 9:00am-1:45pm. Everyone is welcome.