What could cause vomiting and diarrhea without a fever?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Vomiting and diarrhea without a fever are most often caused by viral gastroenteritis, particularly infections from small round-structured viruses (such as norovirus). Unlike bacterial infections, these viruses typically trigger sudden stomach upset, watery diarrhea, and vomiting without raising body temperature. Other possible causes include food intolerances, mild food poisoning, medication side effects, stress, or early-stage digestive conditions like IBS.

Because symptoms can overlap across many conditions—some minor, some requiring medical attention—it's important to identify the likely cause quickly. Taking a free, instant, online symptom check can help you narrow down potential causes based on your specific symptoms, guide you on whether home care is enough, and clarify when it's time to see a doctor. It only takes a few minutes and could save you hours of uncertainty.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/15/2026

Important Next Steps

Discover causes of vomiting and diarrhea now Learn if symptoms need urgent care See if it could be food poisoning Find OTC relief for vomiting, diarrhea Find a doctor for digestive symptoms Discover safe home remedies for stomach upset Understand when vomiting and diarrhea need evaluation

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Explanation

Vomiting and diarrhea are common symptoms of gastroenteritis, which is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines. While fever often accompanies these symptoms, it is not always present. According to one study, outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis have been linked to small round-structured viruses, which can cause symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea without a fever.

Key Points:

Gastroenteritis: This is an infection that affects the stomach and intestines, leading to symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea.
No Fever: Some viruses can cause these symptoms without causing a fever. This can happen during certain outbreaks, as noted in the study about small round-structured viruses.

Understanding the cause of vomiting and diarrhea can help in managing the symptoms effectively. If you're experiencing these symptoms and want to better understand what might be causing them, try Ubie's free AI-powered symptom checker to get personalized insights, or seek medical advice if symptoms persist.

(References)

Samaha J, Abdulla HE, AlSubaie R, Albunyan S, & AlMudayris LA. (2024). Acute Abdominal Pain and Rapidly Accumulating Ascites .... Cureus, 38868285.
Rizek P, Morriello F, Sharma M, & Gofton T. (2013). acute cerebellitis caused by Salmonella typhimurium. Neurology, 23479471.
Gellert GA, Waterman SH, Ewert D, Oshiro L, Giles MP, Monroe SS, et al. (1990). An outbreak of acute gastroenteritis caused by a small .... Infection control and hospital epidemiology, 2172363.

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