When you experience sudden nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain, your first thought may be food poisoning– but norovirus could also be the culprit. Both conditions share similar symptoms, making it difficult to tell them apart. However, understanding their causes, how they spread, and how long they last can help you determine the difference and take the right steps for recovery. In this blog, we’ll break down the key differences between norovirus and food poisoning, how they’re contracted, and when to seek medical care.
For same-day testing and treatment, visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care Livingston. Our urgent care center is open 7 days a week and operates on a walk-in basis, meaning no appointments are required. Just stop by today!
What Causes Norovirus?
Norovirus is a highly transmissible disease that causes gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach and intestines. This “stomach bug” can cause swelling in the bowels, making it challenging to break down food, leading to stomach pain and diarrhea. Symptoms typically appear between 12 and 48 hours after exposure. It can spread easily through:
- Contaminated food or water
- Direct contact with an infected person
- Touching contaminated surfaces and then putting your hands in your mouth
What Causes Food Poisoning?
As the name suggests, food poisoning is a common sickness attributed to the consumption of expired, contaminated, or uncooked food. The microorganisms present in this state are harmful to the human body, and at its extreme, it can even lead to severe complications if it’s not quickly addressed. Here are some of the major causes of it:
- Improper food handling (undercooked meat, contaminated produce, or unpasteurized dairy)
- Cross-contamination (raw meats touching ready-to-eat foods)
- Leaving food out too long at unsafe temperatures
Overlapping Symptoms of Food Poisoning and Norovirus
Food poisoning and norovirus share many overlapping symptoms, including:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pains
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Dehydration
- Poor appetite
- Headache
- High fever
How To Tell Them Apart
Some of the key differences between food poisoning and norovirus include:
1. While they share similarities in their sources, they are caused by wildly different pathogens. Food poisoning can be caused by bacteria, parasites, and viruses that are present in raw eggs, dairy, meat, and fish. Viruses, on the other hand, are responsible for the stomach flu. This means that their treatment methods will vary.
2. When it comes to norovirus, signs in the form of weakness, vomiting, and frequent stooling might not manifest for a whole day after ingesting the contaminated food. This is in contrast to food poisoning, in which these might show a mere six hours after ingesting the problem food.
3. Norovirus is not caused by drinking or consuming things exposed to toxic chemicals. Also, someone suffering from a stomach bug is less likely to show signs of high fever, such as food poisoning or difficulties with their nervous system.
Prevention Tips
- Wash your hands frequently, especially before eating or preparing food
- Cook food to safe temperatures and store leftovers properly
- Disinfect surfaces to prevent norovirus spread
- Avoid food prepared by someone sick
- Stay home when sick to prevent spreading illness
Most cases of norovirus and mild food poisoning improve on their own with rest, hydration, and a bland diet. However, seek prompt medical care if you experience severe, lingering, or worsening symptoms.
Get Walk-In Treatment at AFC Urgent Care Livingston
While norovirus and food poisoning share many symptoms, their causes and how they spread are different. Norovirus is a viral infection that spreads easily from person to person, while food poisoning comes from contaminated food or drinks. If you’re experiencing symptoms, dehydration, or prolonged illness, come visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care Livingston. Our team is here for expert care and treatment to help you recover quickly! Our urgent care center is open seven days a week and appointments are not required. We accept most health insurance plans and offer low-cost options for self-paying patients. If you have any additional questions about the urgent care services we provide, please contact our team directly at (973) 601-2626.
