Quick answer: Go to urgent care if vomiting or diarrhea keeps you from holding down fluids for more than several hours, or if you have signs of dehydration like dizziness, very dark urine or urinating much less than usual. Urgent care can give IV fluids and anti-nausea medicine. Go to the ER for blood in vomit or stool, severe belly pain, confusion, fainting, or a baby with very few wet diapers.

Stomach bugs, food poisoning and summer heat can all lead to dehydration, which happens when your body loses more fluid than it takes in. Most cases can be handled at home, but some need medical care quickly.

New to PACS? Start with our complete guide to urgent care in Alexandria, VA.

Signs of dehydration

In adults

  • Intense thirst and a dry mouth
  • Urinating less often, with dark yellow urine
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness, especially when standing
  • Fatigue, headache or muscle cramps
  • A fast heartbeat

In babies and children

  • Fewer wet diapers than usual
  • No tears when crying
  • Dry mouth and lips
  • Sunken eyes, or a sunken soft spot on a baby’s head
  • Unusual sleepiness or fussiness

Children dehydrate faster than adults. If your child also has a fever, see our guide to fever in children.

Common causes

  • Stomach viruses (like norovirus)
  • Food poisoning
  • Heat exhaustion and heavy sweating. See heat illness.
  • Fever
  • Not drinking enough during illness

When to come to urgent care

  • You can’t keep fluids down for more than 6 to 8 hours (adults) or a few hours (young children)
  • Diarrhea lasts more than 2 days in adults or 24 hours in a child
  • You feel dizzy or weak
  • You’ve had very little urine for 8 hours or more
  • You have a fever with vomiting or diarrhea

How urgent care treats dehydration

At PACS, IV fluids for dehydration can rehydrate you faster than drinking when you can’t keep anything down. Treatment may also include:

  • Anti-nausea medicine, such as a Zofran injection
  • Lab tests to look for infection or check your levels
  • Guidance on what to eat and drink as you recover

Self-pay prices: routine visit $139, IV fluids $99 and anti-nausea injection $25.

Go to the ER if you have

  • Blood in vomit or stool, or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
  • Severe or constant belly pain
  • Confusion, fainting or extreme weakness
  • A stiff neck or severe headache with vomiting
  • Vomiting after a head injury
  • A baby with no wet diaper in 6 hours or more, or who is very hard to wake

Rehydrating at home

  • Take small sips often, like a spoonful every few minutes
  • Use an oral rehydration solution (like Pedialyte), especially for children
  • Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and very sugary drinks
  • When you can eat, start with bland foods like toast, rice, bananas and crackers
  • Wash hands well. Stomach viruses spread easily.

Frequently asked questions

Can urgent care give IV fluids?

Yes. PACS provides IV fluids on site, 7 days a week, without an appointment.

How long does IV hydration take?

A typical bag of IV fluids takes about 30 to 60 minutes, though it depends on how much fluid you need.

Should I take anti-diarrhea medicine?

For mild diarrhea in adults it can help, but avoid it if you have a fever or bloody stool. Don’t give it to young children unless a provider advises it.

Get care today at PACS Urgent Care

PACS Urgent Care – Alexandria
3481 N Beauregard St, Alexandria, VA 22302
Open 7 days a week, 8 AM – 8 PM · Walk-ins welcome
Call (571) 656-8838 · Get directions · New patient guide

This article is for general information and isn’t a substitute for medical advice. If you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911.