Difference Between Flu and Food Poisoning

Food poisoning is a disease caused by eating or drinking food and/or water contaminated with viruses, bacteria, toxins, parasites and/or chemicals. Stomach flu (stomach bug, gastroenteritis) is a nonspecific term that can include food poisoning; however, the stomach flu usually is viral and for a few days (short-term).

1. How do you know it's food poisoning?
2. How long does food poisoning last?
3. How do you rule out food poisoning?
4. What does food poisoning feel like when it starts?
5. Should I stay home if I have food poisoning?
6. What are the stages of food poisoning?
7. What are the 4 types of food poisoning?
8. How do I know if it's food poisoning or a stomach virus?
9. Do you always vomit with food poisoning?
10. How long after eating bad seafood do you get sick?

How do you know it's food poisoning?

Typical symptoms of food poisoning include:

1. stomach or intestinal cramping.
2. fatigue.
3. diarrhea.
4. fever.
5. chills.
6. muscle aches.
7. headaches.
8. sweating.

How long does food poisoning last?

Signs and symptoms may start within hours after eating the contaminated food, or they may begin days or even weeks later. Sickness caused by food poisoning generally lasts from a few hours to several days.

How do you rule out food poisoning?

Doctors often diagnose food poisoning based on your symptoms. If your symptoms are mild and last only a short time, you typically won't need tests. In some cases, a medical history, a physical exam, stool tests, and blood tests can help diagnose food poisoning.

What does food poisoning feel like when it starts?

While the main symptoms are nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach cramps, you also may have a fever, headache, muscle and joint aches, or blood in your stool. You may also be dehydrated, so your mouth and throat feel dry and you don't pee as often as you typically do. Dehydration can make you dizzy when you stand up.

Should I stay home if I have food poisoning?

If you have food poisoning, you shouldn't prepare food for other people and you should try to keep contact with vulnerable people, such as the elderly or very young, to a minimum. Stay off work or school until at least 48 hours after the last episode of diarrhoea.

What are the stages of food poisoning?

But on average, food poisoning symptoms begin within two to six hours after consuming contaminated food.
...
Most people experience a combination of the following:

• watery diarrhea.
• nausea.
• vomiting.
• abdominal pain.
• headache.
• fever.

What are the 4 types of food poisoning?

At least 250 different kinds of food poisoning have been documented, but the most common ones are e. coli, listeria, salmonella, and norovirus, which is commonly called "stomach flu." Other less common illnesses that can be transferred from food or food handling are botulism, campylobacter, vibrio, and shigella.

How do I know if it's food poisoning or a stomach virus?

Bloody diarrhea is more likely to be a symptom of food poisoning. Projectile vomiting and stomach cramps are often caused by the norovirus, a type of stomach virus. Stomach viruses take longer to develop but usually go away in about 24 to 28 hours after symptoms begin. Food poisoning often lasts longer.

Do you always vomit with food poisoning?

In fact, food poisoning often results in an initial bout of forceful, projectile vomiting. For some people it subsides, while others continue to vomit intermittently ( 10 ). If you're vomiting continuously and can't keep fluids down, you should seek help from a doctor or pharmacist to avoid becoming dehydrated.

How long after eating bad seafood do you get sick?

What are the symptoms of ciguatera poisoning? Symptoms of ciguatera poisoning generally appear between a few minutes and 6 hours after the toxic fish has been eaten.