Each year, many people are afflicted by the stomach flu and food poisoning. However, it can be hard to differentiate between the two. Because the symptoms for the stomach flu and food poisoning so closely parallel each other, you may not know how to treat your symptoms properly.
What is the right course of action when you are sick with either the stomach flu or food poisoning? The first step in alleviating your symptoms is getting to the root of your digestive woes.
Is it the stomach flu?
Although it is called the stomach flu, the illness is not like influenza. The stomach flu, commonly referred to as the Norovirus, is a very common and highly contagious viral infection. You can contract the Norovirus by coming in contact with an infected person, contaminated food or water, or touching contaminated surfaces.
The Norovirus causes inflammation of the intestines and the stomach. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that the stomach flu is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis in the United States, and each year it is responsible for 19 to 21 million illnesses, with 56,000 to 71,000 hospitalizations and 570-800 deaths.
While some symptoms of stomach flu are similar to food poisoning, others are not. For example, the most common symptoms found in people who have the Norovirus are:
- diarrhea;
- throwing up;
- nausea; and
- stomach pain.
- fever;
- headache; and
- body aches.
- decrease in urination;
- dry mouth and throat; and
- feeling dizzy when standing up.
Is it Food Poisoning?
Even though some of the symptoms and causes of food poisoning are similar to the stomach flu, there are a few differences between them. For example, food poisoning can be caused by viruses, bacteria or parasites that have contaminated your food or water.
Meanwhile, the stomach flu, or viral gastroenteritis, is only caused by a viral infection transmitted by coming into contact with the virus in another person, in food or water, or on a contaminated surface.
The reason for this confusion is due to the similarity in the symptoms. For instance, the following symptoms are common in those suffering from both the stomach flu and food poisoning:
- nausea;
- vomiting; and
- diarrhea.
Spot the Difference
The key to knowing whether you have food poisoning or the stomach flu could be paying attention to your symptoms. For example, while food poisoning will begin to affect you within two to six hours of coming into contact with the virus, bacteria or parasite, the stomach flu’s onset begins within four to 48 hours.
It is recommended that anyone suffering with the symptoms commonly related to both illnesses think back on what he or she ate. Viruses, bacteria and parasites all affect the body in different ways, each with its own host of signs.
Another method of spotting the difference between the stomach flu and food poisoning is to pay attention to symptoms that do not appear in both illnesses. For instance, because many food poisoning sicknesses do not result in fever or body aches, it may be that you have contracted the stomach flu rather than food poisoning. Be careful to check for dehydration in both illnesses because frequent vomiting and diarrhea could be the cause of additional symptoms like dizziness and dry mouth.
One last resort in trying to determine if your illness was brought on by the stomach flu or food poisoning is contacting anyone who you’ve been around in the last 24 hours. Asking questions of those who have been in your company or with whom you've shared meals in the 24 hours before your symptoms began might help you uncover their cause.
Start by asking if anyone else has been feeling sick. Specifically, you might want to ask those whom you have dined with in the 24 hours before your symptoms began. Finding out that one or more of the people with whom you’ve dined have your symptoms could point you in the right direction.
The More You Know
As with any illness, the more you know about the symptoms and causes of that illness, the better chance you have of knowing what has made you sick. Because symptoms of the stomach flu and food poisoning are so similar, you may have trouble figuring out on your own what you have contracted.
It is recommended that if your symptoms are very severe or last more than a day to seek medical consultation, especially if you develop a fever or muscle aches. With either illness, you might consider visiting a doctor. Both food poisoning and the stomach flu could be serious illnesses. Regardless of which illness you’ve contracted, you should consider staying away from others until your symptoms go away.