Determining whether you have food poisoning or the stomach flu can be challenging, as both conditions share common symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and general malaise. However, understanding the subtle differences between the two can help you seek appropriate treatment and care. Keep reading to learn more about how to differentiate between the stomach flu and food poisoning and when to seek medical treatment.
If you’re experiencing illness symptoms, AFC Urgent Care Centennial is here to help. Our walk-in urgent care clinic offers patients in Centennial, CO rapid same-day illness care. We never require that you schedule an appointment in advance, simply walk in when it’s convenient for you. We are open 7 days a week!
Causes of Stomach Flu and Poisoning
When you’re feeling sick, it can be difficult to self-diagnose your symptoms. The stomach flu (gastroenteritis) is typically caused by viral infections, with the most common culprits being norovirus and rotavirus. These viruses are highly contagious and can spread from person to person through close contact with an infected person, contaminated surfaces, or consuming contaminated food and water. Bacterial infections, such as from E. coli or Salmonella, can also contribute to gastroenteritis in some cases.
Food poisoning, on the other hand, results from consuming food or drinks contaminated with harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites, or toxins. Common causes include bacteria like Salmonella and Listeria. Food poisoning can occur when food is improperly stored, prepared, or handled, leading to contamination and growth of these harmful agents. Food poisoning is not contagious from person to person, however, multiple people in the same household can contract food poisoning from eating the same contaminated foods.
Differences Between Food Poisoning and Stomach Flu
While food poisoning and the stomach flu (gastroenteritis) share similar symptoms, they differ in causes, symptom onset, and duration:
With food poisoning, symptoms can develop rapidly, usually within hours to a day after consuming contaminated food. On the other hand, stomach flu symptoms may take longer to appear, typically within 1-3 days after exposure to the virus. Food poisoning symptoms usually last anywhere between a few hours up to a couple of days, depending on the severity of the contamination. The stomach flu symptoms typically last for 1 to 10 days.
How to Recover
Recovering from both food poisoning and stomach flu primarily requires rest and rehydration. Both conditions cause significant fluid loss due to vomiting and diarrhea. Replace lost fluids with water, clear broths, and electrolytes. Once symptoms begin to subside, it's important to slowly reintroduce bland, easily digestible foods like toast, rice, and bananas, avoiding rich or spicy meals.
While most cases of food poisoning and stomach flu resolve on their own, there are times when your body needs more than rest and hydration to recover. If your symptoms escalate to intense dehydration, severe abdominal pain, or high fever, it's your body's way of saying that help is needed. Timely medical attention can prevent complications and help ensure you get back on your feet quickly.
Visit AFC Urgent Care Centennial for Same-Day Illness Symptom Treatment
Both the stomach flu and food poisoning can cause severe discomfort. If you’re in search of rapid symptom relief from the stomach flu or food poisoning, walk into AFC Centennial. Our walk-in clinic offers patients in Centennial, CO, rapid same-day illness diagnosis and treatment. Our clinic has a laboratory on-site for a more accurate diagnosis. We never require that you schedule an appointment, simply walk into the clinic when it’s convenient for you. We are open 7 days a week and accept most medical insurance plans!
