Food Poisoning vs Stomach Flu: What is the Difference in Symptoms?
Nausea, belly ache, diarrhea—these are just some indicators one thing is amiss. That one thing is (gastrointestinally talking) mistaken. However is it the abdomen flu, or one thing else? Did you eat a foul hamburger, tainted lettuce (hiya, meals poisoning), or are available in contact with somebody who’s sick? Whereas it might not matter in the intervening time, particularly since you might be probably simply searching for assist—for consolation and aid—many people are fast to imagine that we ate some dangerous. However that is not all the time the case! Right here’s all the things it’s essential find out about meals poisoning vs. the abdomen flu.
What’s Meals Poisoning?
Meals poisoning is quite common. In reality, an estimated 48 million people experience food poisoning each year. In keeping with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention, which means one in six People will contract some type of meals poisoning yearly. Nonetheless, the reason for meals poisoning, or foodborne sicknesses, varies—meals poisoning happens when people eat contaminated, spoiled, or poisonous meals. Cross-contamination is usually the reason for meals poisoning, as is undercooking. Preparation mishandling often happens. “Meals poisoning normally happens when meals will not be dealt with or cooked appropriately,” Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD, host of The Physician Oz present and professor of surgical procedure at Columbia, tells Parade.com. “And raw, ready-to-eat meals, akin to salads, are significantly vulnerable to contamination.
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What’s the Abdomen “Flu?”
Regardless of its identify, the abdomen “flu” will not be truly a sort of flu, neither is it attributable to the influenza virus. Slightly, a abdomen bug or “flu” is an intestinal an infection marked by diarrhea, cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fever.
“Abdomen bug and abdomen ‘flu’ are each phrases used to explain viral gastroenteritis,” Dr. Oz says. These viruses are extremely contagious and may unfold rapidly. “The most typical method to contract the virus is from direct contact with somebody who’s sick,” he provides. “Nonetheless, it’s also possible to contract the virus from contact with one thing somebody contaminated has touched that incorporates their stool, saliva, or vomit substance with the virus in it.”
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How Do the Signs Fluctuate and How are They Comparable, i.e. What are the Signs of Every?
The signs of meals poisoning and the abdomen “flu” are fairly related. In reality, Dr. Peter Bailey, MD, a household doctor situated within the Bay Space, says, “the signs of each meals poisoning and the abdomen flu are practically similar.” Nonetheless, there are some variations. The abdomen bug or “flu,” for instance, may cause basic aches and pains. Dizziness, lightheadedness, and complications may happen.
Signs of the abdomen “flu”:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdomen or intestinal cramps
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Weight reduction
- Joint aches
- Muscle aches
- Thirst
- Headache
- Lightheadedness
- Normal malaise
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Signs of meals poisoning
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdomen or intestinal cramping
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Chills
- Sweating
- Thirst
- Normal malaise
In excessive circumstances, meals poisoning might be life-threatening. If you happen to expertise extreme signs of dehydration—like dry mouth, passing little to no urine, and/or problem holding fluids down—bloody urine, or extended diarrhea (which is outlined as diarrhea lasting three days or extra), contact your physician instantly.
What Causes Meals Poisoning?
As beforehand talked about, the reason for meals poisoning varies. “Meals poisoning usually happens when somebody eats meals that has been contaminated with infectious microorganisms, together with mould, micro organism, viruses, and different parasites,” Bailey explains. “When meals is uncovered to such infectious organisms within the preparation course of or left to sit down out too lengthy, it may well develop into extraordinarily harmful, and ingesting meals that has been uncovered to such contaminants might lead some individuals to endure the results of foodborne sickness, starting from gentle to extreme signs.”
What Causes the Abdomen “Flu?”
A number of totally different viruses may cause the abdomen bug or abdomen “flu,” together with norovirus, rotavirus, and adenovirus. Different viruses, akin to astroviruses, may trigger this situation. Nonetheless, you will need to word that whereas meals poisoning might be bacterial in nature and/or attributable to a parasite, the abdomen “flu” is nearly all the time attributable to a virus.
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How are the Gastrointestinal Points Handled?
Whereas there is no such thing as a remedy for viral gastroenteritis or meals poisoning, you possibly can deal with your signs. Antidiarrheals, for instance, can assist alleviate momentary or recurrent liquid bowel actions. Drugs like Pepto Bismol can ease nausea, bloating, and generalized discomfort. Nonetheless, one of the simplest ways to handle your signs is to make use of basic self-care methods.
“If you happen to expertise any signs [of food poisoning or gastroenteritis] be sure you get loads of fluids,” Oz says. “Adults can drink fluids, akin to sports activities drinks with electrolytes, and youngsters may drink fluid alternative options, akin to Pedialyte. These drinks coupled with water will assist restore the physique’s hydration steadiness. For greatest outcomes, drink just a few sips each half hour to an hour.
As soon as you are feeling able to once more, give your abdomen a break by slowly introducing bland meals, akin to cereal, bread, and potatoes. Keep away from dairy, alcohol, caffeine, and spicy meals which may upset your abdomen.” Relaxation can also be crucial.
Subsequent up, do you’ve a chilly or the flu? Here is tips on how to inform.
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