Stomach Flu or Food Poisoning: What’s the Difference?
Abdominal pains, fever, and gas are common signs of many conditions, including both the stomach flu and food poisoning. The two are commonly confused. The stomach flu and food poisoning are two different conditions.
A virus causes the stomach flu, but food poisoning is caused by bacteria, viruses, or other parasites. The former can last for days, but food poisoning usually only takes one day. Both are extremely common. The US Department of Health & Human Services estimates that there are about 48 million cases of foodborne illnesses annually, which equates to 1 in 6 Americans having a food-related illness.
Although they share similar symptoms, there are differences to be aware of between the two. The signs and symptoms of the stomach flu can vary greatly from person to person and naturally develop within a day or as fast as two to three hours. Understanding the differences between stomach flu vs. food poisoning can ensure you take the right steps towards recovery as well as speed up doctor visits.
What Is the Stomach Flu?
The phrase “stomach flu” does not necessarily make it the flu. It is not caused by the influenza virus, like most upper respiratory problems such as in your nose, throat, and lungs, and should not be confused with the “seasonal flu.”
The medical term for the common stomach flu is “viral gastroenteritis.”
Stomach Flu Symptoms
Viral gastroenteritis is an intestinal infection associated with these symptoms:
Nausea or vomiting: Your body recognizes the illness as a poison, so it reacts to the discomfort by vomiting.
Watery diarrhea: Severe dehydration can also yield dark or decreased urine. Keep track of how long you have been having diarrhea if it has been more than three days, and see a doctor immediately if you have blood in your stool.
Low-grade fever: A fever is the immune system’s attempt to combat illness such as viruses and bacteria infection. By heating up the body, fevers create an environment that tackles temperature-sensitive agents.
Abdominal pain and cramping: A stomach bug can produce moderate pain.
How Long Does the Stomach Flu Last?
The stomach flu usually starts one to three days after exposure and can take up to 10 days to fully heal.
You may also be wondering how long the stomach flu is contagious? The stomach flu is highly contagious, and the length of that will depend on the type of virus that caused the infection. You are still contagious for up to three days after recovery in some cases.
What Is Food Poisoning?
Food poisoning is an extensive term for some type of bacteria that has affected you.
Food Poisoning Symptoms
Your immune system induces food poisoning to expel the illness and can present the following symptoms:
Bloating and gas: Passing gas clears gas from the digestive tract, but lingering gas stuck in the tract can cause pain.
Fever: You should see a doctor immediately when above 101.5 F to avoid severe dehydration.
Muscle aches: Certain bacteria such as Staphloccus aureus and Campylobacter jejuni cause muscle pains. Inflammatory responses or irregular blood supply cause these pains.
Weakness: Your body devotes a lot of energy to fight off the illness, and the loss of calories and electrolytes can make you feel weak.
Abdominal pain and cramping: Your illness’s primary source is in your stomach region, so this area could experience mild to moderate discomfort. Although a stomach bug is a more general discomfort, food poisoning will yield a sharp stabbing pain.
How Long Does Food Poisoning Last?
Food poisoning has a rapid onset of symptoms, usually appearing two to six hours after eating contaminated food or drinks. It may last up to 48 hours, but can sometimes resolve itself within 24 hours.
How Do I Know If It's a Stomach Virus or Food Poisoning?
Although the symptoms of stomach flu and food poisoning can overlap, the primary indicator of which you have will be the timing of symptoms.
Viral stomach flu will incubate for roughly 24-48 hours after exposure to the virus, whereas food poisoning will be much faster at 2-6 hours after eating contaminated food. Many cases of the stomach flu resolve in a few days, with more prolonged cases lasting up to 10 days. Most food poisoning cases last only for a day or two.
Stomach Flu | Food Poisoning |
|---|---|
Caused by viruses | Caused by either virus, bacteria, or parasite |
Lasts up to 10 days | Lasts up to two days |
Very contagious, can spread quickly | Cannot pass person to person, only by cross-contamination of germs from food or drinks |
Less common | Very common |
Symptoms: fever, headache, muscle aches, belly pain, stomach cramps, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea | Symptoms: nausea, vomiting, stomach pain or cramping, diarrhea, fever, dizziness |
How to Prevent Food Poisoning and the Stomach Flu
Both food poisoning and stomach flu are best cured by preventative methods instead of recovery after the fact.
Preventing food poisoning can be difficult, but there are a few steps that can help. Since you are just as likely to get it from your kitchen as you are at an outside restaurant, you can take the following steps to avoid serious illnesses:
Wash your hands, so you do not bring unnecessary agents into your kitchen and do not mix foods
Keep your kitchen clean in case your utensils have come into contact with other foods conducive to viral growth
Be careful of raw meat and cook it properly, so you do not get sick
Do not consume expired food even if the food looks and smells fine, as you should respect the “use by” date to be careful of all of the harmful microscopic organisms.
Be mindful of your leftovers in case they have been left outside of proper refrigeration for too long or have already expired
If you are dining with street food such as at food trucks, you should be mindful of exploring street food without the perils as sanitary food preparation is key to avoid food poisoning.
Since the stomach flu is contagious, you can prevent exposure to it with the following:
Practice proper hand hygiene
Keep your kitchen clean
Do not prepare foods while infected
Avoid contact with the infected
Make sure to practice these precautions even if you feel fine as you are contagious for approximately three days after recovery.
Even with safe practices and regulations in place, such as mandated hand washing and kitchen inspections, it is essential for you to recognize stomach pains and how to best take the appropriate steps for your recovery.
What to Do If You Have the Stomach Flu or Food Poisoning?
Although most cases can be treated at home with lots of fluid with electrolytes and rest, severe symptoms such as diarrhea spanning several days and high fevers should not be overlooked.
Your body is actively fighting off the causes of your pain, so take it easy while you recover. While in recovery, you should take the necessary precautions to avoid spreading the infection:
Wash your hands in warm, soapy water for at least 20 to 30 seconds
Avoid sharing your food or drink to prevent spreading the illness to others
Take time off from school or work to allow the illness to heal
Stomach Flu and Food Poisoning Treatment
While your body is in recovery, you should be taking it easy. If you are keeping food down, you should follow a simple diet of bananas, rice, apple sauce, and toast (sometimes called BRAT) in addition to liquids that are heavy in electrolytes such as a sports drink. It is vital for your health to maintain a good diet while in recovery mode to replace some of the calories and electrolytes you’re losing.
Like most recoveries, you should avoid alcohol, caffeine, and dairy if you are sensitive to these groups. Similarly, like most illnesses, the pregnant, young, and elderly are more prone and should be extra careful when monitoring recovery.
Food Poisoning Remedies
Since the stomach flu is viral, it cannot be treated with antibiotics. Instead, it is possible to use over-the-counter (OTC) medicines to alleviate the symptoms of the stomach flu and food poisoning, such as ibuprofen and Tylenol for fevers as well as aches. These kinds of medications can be taxing on kidneys due to dehydration and should be monitored carefully with food as well as proper fluid intake to keep your body hydrated.
When to Contact a Doctor
Regarding your diagnosis of the stomach flu vs. food poisoning, a doctor will ask you about your symptoms and medical history. Your doctor may also take a stool sample to check for key signs such as blood or a noticeable bacteria count.
If you exhibit any symptoms of the stomach flu or food poisoning for more than a prolonged period of time, then you should make an appointment with your doctor, who can tell you about the difference between food poisoning and stomach flu.
If you are an adult, then you should contact your doctor when you are:
Not able to keep liquids down for more than 24 hours
Vomiting for more than two days
Vomiting blood
Experiencing excess dehydration such as darker urine and a dry mouth
Noticing blood in your stool
Experiencing a fever above 102 °F for at least a few days
If you are a parent and feel that your child is exhibiting symptoms, you should immediately consult with your doctor. Although most cases of either illness are not fatal, extra caution should be used when examining those who are young, elderly, or pregnant.
If you experience any of the symptoms above, book a virtual appointment with a top U.S. doctor at PlushCare today.
Read More About Stomach Flu vs. Food Poisoning
Sources
Food Safety.gov. Food Poisoning. Accessed February 17, 2021, at https://www.foodsafety.gov/food-poisoning
Keck Medicine of USC.Is It the Stomach Flu or Food Poisoning?. Accessed February 17, 2021, at https://www.keckmedicine.org/blog/is-it-the-stomach-flu-or-food-poisoning/
Mayo Clinic. Food Poisoning. Accessed February 17, 2021, at https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/food-poisoning/symptoms-causes/syc-20356230
