Stomach Bug vs. Food Poisoning: How to Tell the Difference
You never saw them coming, those tiny microbes that somehow invaded your digestive system. And now they’ve restricted your world to the sofa, the bathroom, and the short distance between them that you must traverse while braving waves of nausea and stomach cramps. You figure you contracted a stomach bug, or maybe you have a case of food poisoning. What’s the difference, and does it really matter?
In terms of how you feel (utterly miserable), it may not matter much. And the good news is that most cases of stomach flu—more formally known as viral gastroenteritis—and food poisoning will get better on their own with rest and extra attention to staying hydrated.
However, seeking a proper diagnosis and medical treatment may speed your recovery. And severe cases of either condition may require medical attention, particularly if you’re experiencing a high fever and diarrhea that persists for more than a few days. It’s also a good idea to see a doctor to rule out other potentially serious illnesses that can mimic the symptoms of a stomach bug or food poisoning.
Are Stomach Flu and Food Poisoning Caused by the Same ‘Bug’?
No. The condition that people often call “stomach flu” is caused by a virus that’s typically spread through direct contact between infected and non-infected people, or by touching a contaminated surface and then your nose or mouth. (However, though the viruses that cause gastroenteritis spread in the same way as influenza viruses, they are not the same viruses that cause the respiratory infection commonly called “the flu.”)
Some examples of viruses that cause gastroenteritis include:
- Norovirus
- Rotavirus
- Astrovirus
Food poisoning, on the other hand, is an umbrella term for a condition caused by consuming food or water that’s contaminated with an illness-inducing virus, bacterium, or parasite. There are hundreds of microbes that can cause food poisoning.
Comparison of Symptoms for Stomach Bug and Food Poisoning
Viral gastroenteritis and food poisoning often display similar symptoms, but there’s one typical distinction between the two: how fast the illness comes on. Although there are exceptions, food poisoning symptoms usually become noticeable within two to six hours of consuming contaminated food or water. If you’ve contracted a stomach bug, it’s more likely to take a day or two to develop symptoms after your exposure to the virus.
The symptoms of both illnesses often include:
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Weakness and fatigue
- Abdominal pain and stomach cramps
- Muscle aches
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Fever
Whether you have a stomach bug or food poisoning, it’s important to replenish the fluids lost to vomiting or diarrhea. It’s a good idea to seek medical treatment if you’re unable to keep any fluids down, you have a fever higher than 104 degrees, or you have bloody stools or vomit.
Stomach Bug Treatment in Cape May County, NJ
If you’re in Cape May County, New Jersey, when symptoms strike, you can feel confident seeking medical treatment from the board-certified doctors at Cape Regional Urgent Care. We have walk-in urgent care locations in Cape May Court House, Marmora, and Wildwood, all of which accept walk-in patients of all ages every day, including Saturday and Sunday. Our wait times are short, and our rates are affordable, making our walk-in clinics an excellent alternative to an emergency room when you need treatment for food poisoning or gastroenteritis. We also accept many health insurance plans.
Contact Cape Regional Urgent Care today for more information.
