The sight of blood coming from the mouth can be quite distressing. Depending on the nature and site of the bleed, the blood may be passed out on its own or within sputum/phlegm or vomit. If blood is pooling in the mouth, then this requires immediate medical attention as it indicates a rupture of an artery.
Vomiting Up Blood
The medical term for vomiting up blood is haematemesis (US ~ hematemesis). It may vary from bright red and fresh blood in the vomit to pink streaks or dark brown to black clumps resembling coffee grounds.
Gastroenteritis is the inflammation of the stomach and intestines (small and large) as a result of an infection. It is often referred to as the gastric flu or stomach flu but it is not related to influenza. Sometimes loose stool and a bit of nausea may be noticed in influenza but the gastric flu is much more pronounced. Gastroenteritis is a common infection that accounts for millions of deaths globally but with proper management, it can pass in a few days without requiring treatment.
Food poisoning is the food-borne illness that you may contract when you eat contaminated food. This is a common ailment which most of us will experience at some time in our life and can be avoided with proper handling and storing of food. It can affect both food and drinks and causes severe symptoms such as diarrhoea and vomiting. If left untreated, food poisoning can be potentially fatal, especially in debilitated and immunocompromised patients.
