Narrative:

During cruise over the gulf of mexico; my first officer (first officer) started experiencing symptoms of food poisoning; upset stomach; chills; vomiting etc. He went to the lavatory to take care of some of the symptoms; but when he returned; he did not feel any better. Fortunately he asked the flight attendants for some airsickness bags because he proceeded to vomit several times. As we approached aex; it was apparent to me; he would be of little use as a crew member and we had a commuting captain in the back. I instructed the number one flight attendant to get him and have him report to the cockpit. My first officer had vomited on the floor and seat on his side; so I left him in his seat and had the captain assist me from the jumpseat. He was invaluable in ensuring we complied with all restrictions and checklists. Between the two of them I had very good backup with a pilot observing. About 250 miles from dfw; the first officer was vomiting again and I decided to get him on the ground. At that time; I [advised] ATC and requested direct to jiffy. This was granted and we proceeded to dfw. As we approached dallas; regional approach offered us 17R; which I accepted. We performed the visual to 17R and landed uneventfully. My first officer was checked by emt at the gate after we arrived and then went home. This seems; I'm sure; to be a strange emergency; however; my first officer was not able to complete his duties up to his normal standard nor company standards due to his illness. [Advising ATC about] the emergency was the most expedient and best option to minimize the risk to our operation.

Google
 

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: The First Officer became sick en route to DFW; the flight was expedited and landed uneventfully.

Narrative: During cruise over the Gulf of Mexico; my First Officer (FO) started experiencing symptoms of food poisoning; upset stomach; chills; vomiting etc. He went to the lavatory to take care of some of the symptoms; but when he returned; he did not feel any better. Fortunately he asked the flight attendants for some airsickness bags because he proceeded to vomit several times. As we approached AEX; it was apparent to me; he would be of little use as a crew member and we had a commuting captain in the back. I instructed the number one flight attendant to get him and have him report to the cockpit. My FO had vomited on the floor and seat on his side; so I left him in his seat and had the captain assist me from the jumpseat. He was invaluable in ensuring we complied with all restrictions and checklists. Between the two of them I had very good backup with a pilot observing. About 250 miles from DFW; the FO was vomiting again and I decided to get him on the ground. At that time; I [advised] ATC and requested direct to JIFFY. This was granted and we proceeded to DFW. As we approached Dallas; Regional Approach offered us 17R; which I accepted. We performed the visual to 17R and landed uneventfully. My FO was checked by EMT at the gate after we arrived and then went home. This seems; I'm sure; to be a strange emergency; however; my FO was not able to complete his duties up to his normal standard nor company standards due to his illness. [Advising ATC about] the emergency was the most expedient and best option to minimize the risk to our operation.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.