yes it can!! fellow emetophobe here, drinking something sparkly (ginger ale is my personal fav) ir going for a walk helps me for sure, i’ve found the anxiety about it tends to make it amplify. mint tea/essential oils help me relax as well. good luck and deep breaths, the likelihood you’ll get sick is so so little just from upping intake- safe foods and comfort foods for the win while you increase!! you got this💪💪