Difference between stomach flu and food poisoning
Stomach flu vs food poisoning:
The stomach, which is most undoubtedly an organ that plays a vital role in the proper functioning of the human body, can also cause problems due to various reasons. In order for a person to be in good health, a person’s stomach needs to be in good condition. That is to say, if a person’s stomach is sick and therefore mal functioning, that might cause a number of problems, either with long term health or with everyday lifestyle of a person. Among the many problems that cause problems in the stomach, stomach flu and food poisoning can be referred to as two of the most prominent problems. Although many people do not realize the difference between the two situations, there are truly distinctive features between the two. They are slight and yet very distinct and if one pays strong attention to the symptoms manifested by the two conditions, the difference between the two diseases can be recognized separately and therefore be treated. However, this article endeavors to get to the attention of all those who are yet blind to the differences between the two conditions by explaining what is meant by each, their symptoms, causes and solutions.
What is stomach flu?
Stomach flu, which is also known as Gastroenteritis, gastro, stomach bug, stomach virus, and gastric flu, is a condition of the stomach. The etymology of this vastly used medical term is “gastro-” (stomach) and “entero-“(small intestine). Therefore, according to the etymology, it is a medical condition typified by the inflammation of the stomach and the small intestine. As medical experts define, stomach flu could bring about a combination of diarrhea, vomiting, cramping in the stomach and abdominal pain. Stomach flu occurs due to consumption of improperly prepared foods, contaminated water or via close contact with individuals who are already infected with the disease. Stomach flu classically involves both diarrhea and vomiting and less commonly, presents itself with only one symptom or the other while abdominal cramping may also occur. Signs and symptoms usually begin 12–72 hours after contracting the infection. Also, stomach flu is generally typified by muscle aches and a headache that accompanies the stomach symptoms. To conclude, it is better to keep in mind that stomach flu is caused by communicable virus that is transmitted by the infected.
What is food poisoning?
Food poisoning, which is a food-borne disease occurs when a person consumes food or water that is infected with germs such as bacteria, parasites, viruses or toxins. It should be noted that most cases of food poisoning are occur as a result of common bacteria such as Staphylococcus. Generally, it more commonly takes place after eating at restaurants, picnics, large social functions or school/university cafeterias where there is a higher chance of the food being contaminated. Water that contains animal or human waste, meat or poultry which has come into contact with bacteria from the intestines of an animal that is being processed or food being contaminated while being handled or prepared in cafeterias and restaurants have the most likely chance of infecting individuals, thus leading to food poisoning. Moreover, food poisoning could also result from the use of unclean cooking utensils and tools, food products that have been out of the fridge for too long or by food items that have passed their expiry dates as well as from bad water that has not been purified properly. It may take 2-6 hours after the consumption of food and drinks for the symptoms to emerge. Symptoms of food poisoning may include abdominal cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, headache, fever, chills and weakness of body.
What is the difference between food poisoning and stomach flu?
The main difference between the two conditions lies in the way that they are caused. Stomach flu is caused by bad food, contaminated water as well as infected persons that allow certain bacteria to enter the body. Food poisoning on the other hand may be caused only by viruses such as bacteria and contaminated food and water and is therefore, not spread by infected people. That is the major difference that exists between these two stomach problems.
Looking at the symptoms of these two medical conditions, mostly similar kinds of symptoms are observed in both the cases. However, fever, chills and the weakness of body are observed in cases of food-poisoning alone while these symptoms are not seen in cases of stomach flu. Also, when a person is suffering from stomach flu, symptoms begin surfacing after 12-72 hours after consumption whereas food poisoning symptoms are known to usually manifest themselves in 2-6 hours after the consumption of food.