[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2024\/07\/food-poisoning-or-the-flu\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2024\/07\/food-poisoning-or-the-flu\/","headline":"Feeling Sick? Find Out If It’s Food Poisoning or the Flu","name":"Feeling Sick? Find Out If It’s Food Poisoning or the Flu","description":"Food poisoning and the stomach flu share many symptoms, and the treatments are similar. Here's what you need to know about each of these common ailments.","datePublished":"2024-07-12","dateModified":"2024-08-21","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/primary-care-regions","name":"Primary Care","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/primary-care-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/primary-care\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/GettyImages-1448093956.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/GettyImages-1448093956.jpg","height":868,"width":1999},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2024\/07\/food-poisoning-or-the-flu\/","about":["Family Health","Living and Wellness"],"wordCount":1050,"articleBody":"You have a sudden bout of diarrhea and vomiting, along with stomach pain and cramps. You feel absolutely miserable and can barely move. Is it food poisoning or the flu?It can be hard to tell. The symptoms of stomach flu and food poisoning are similar.Here’s what you need to know about the differences between the two.What Is Stomach Flu?What’s commonly known as “stomach flu” or a “stomach bug” isn’t really the flu. Influenza (“the flu”) is a respiratory disease that affects the nose, throat, and lungs.The stomach flu is an infection of your intestines. The name for stomach flu is acute viral gastroenteritis.Stomach flu is highly contagious. It often spreads in places where people gather in groups. These may include:Schools.Nursing homesDaycare centers.Restaurants.Cruise ships.What Causes Stomach Flu?Viruses cause stomach flu. The viruses live in particles of fecal matter and vomit. They spread by direct contact, through the air, and on surfaces.Norovirus is one of the most common causes of stomach flu. Norovirus causes 19 to 21 million cases of viral gastroenteritis in the U.S. each year. It leads to nearly 600 to 800 deaths annually.Norovirus can live for months on surfaces like changing tables and countertops.What Is Food Poisoning?Food poisoning is also an intestinal illness. But the culprit is usually bacteria in spoiled or un- or under-cooked food. It is less common for a virus, mold, or parasite to cause food poisoning.Food poisoning is common. Most cases are mild, but severe cases can lead to complications. About 48 million cases of foodborne illness yearly, resulting in 3,000 deaths.What Causes Food Poisoning?Different types of bacteria cause food poisoning. Some of the most common ones are:Staphylococcus aureus.Salmonella.E. coli.Listeria.You can get food poisoning from eating raw meat, poultry, seafood, or eggs. You can also get it from handling raw meat or poultry and not washing your hands after. Bacteria can also grow in food left out in warm weather (like potato salad at a picnic).Some bacteria that cause food poisoning, like E.coli, can live in the soil. That’s why contaminated lettuce or other produce can spread the bacteria if not washed.Because it’s caused by something you ate, food poisoning isn’t contagious. You can’t get it from someone else.Stomach Flu SymptomsStomach flu symptoms include:Nausea.Vomiting.Abdominal pain.Fever.Chills.Diarrhea.Symptoms usually begin 12 to 48 hours after contact with the virus.Food Poisoning SymptomsMany of the symptoms of food poisoning are like stomach flu. They include:Nausea.Vomiting.Diarrhea.Stomach cramps or pain.Food poisoning usually comes on faster than the stomach flu. You may feel sick within a few hours of eating contaminated food.Stomach Flu and Food Poisoning TreatmentThe treatment for stomach flu and food poisoning are similar. Most people get better on their own, without a doctor’s treatment. Both illnesses are usually short-lived, lasting only a day or two.To recover from food poisoning or the flu:Drink plenty of water. Dehydration is the most pressing concern with food poisoning or the flu. When you’re vomiting, have diarrhea, or both, your body loses a lot of liquid.Replace electrolytes. Electrolytes are minerals (sodium, potassium, magnesium) that help the body function, and you lose them when you become dehydrated. Sports drinks or Pedialyte are good sources of electrolytes.Rest. Your body needs to recover, which is only possible by taking it as easy as possible.Eat only bland foods when you start eating again. Plain toast, crackers, or rice are good options. High-fat foods and dairy products can further irritate your recovering stomach.When Should You Call the Doctor for Stomach Flu or Food Poisoning?Most people recover from the stomach flu and food poisoning without seeing a doctor. The infections run their course, and you get better without medicine. However, you should call your doctor if your symptoms don’t improve in a couple of days.You should also call the doctor if you:Have a fever of 102 F (39 C) or higher.Have bloody stools.Feel confused or dizzy.Have severe abdominal or rectal pain.Show signs of dehydration, such as extreme thirst and dry mouth.Urinating very little or not at all.Have very dark urine.Have sunken eyes or cheeks.You can’t keep liquids down.Your diarrhea lasts more than two days.Produce six or more loose stools in a day.Have black, tarry stools.In most cases, stomach flu or food poisoning is unpleasant but not serious. However, getting dehydrated can be dangerous, especially for certain groups of people. Without treatment, dehydration can lead to organ damage, shock, coma, or even death in:Pregnant women.Young children and babies.Premature infants.Older adults.People with weakened immune systems.People with chronic health issues.Preventing Stomach Flu and Food PoisoningOf course, it’s best to prevent food poisoning or the flu from happening in the first place. Here are the best ways to decrease the odds you’ll come down with either.Wash your hands frequently, especially if you’re in contact with someone with stomach flu. Proper hand washing \u2014 20 seconds with soap and water \u2014 can prevent viruses from moving from person to person.Don’t touch your face. Germs can easily travel from your hands to your mouth, eyes, and nose.Wash food preparation surfaces, especially after cutting raw meat. Wash utensils, cutting boards, and countertops.Don’t leave food sitting out in the sun. Keep food in a cooler for as long as possible at a picnic.Cook food to 140 F (60 C), the internal temperature needed to kill bacteria. Use a food thermometer to check.Separate and store raw meat away from other food.Keep your fridge at 40 F (4.5 C) or below.Refrigerate leftovers within two hours of cooking.SourcesCDC, Food Poisoning Symptoms, LinkCDC, Fast Facts About Food Poisoning, LinkCDC, Foodborne Germs and Illness, LinkUS News & World Report, Stomach Flu vs. Food Poisoning: How to Recognize the Difference, LinkU.S. Department of Agriculture, Are You Sure It Wasn't Food Poisoning? LinkNational Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Viral Gastroenteritis (\u201cStomach Flu\"), LinkFoodsafety.gov, Food Poisoning, LinkNational Library of Medicine, Viral Gastroenteritis, LinkNational Library of Medicine, Gastroenteritis, Link"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2024","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2024\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"07","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2024\/\/07\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Feeling Sick? Find Out If It’s Food Poisoning or the Flu","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2024\/07\/food-poisoning-or-the-flu\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]