Food poisoning doesn't just come on faster than the stomach flu — it also runs its course more quickly. Dr. Ford says viral gastroenteritis generally lingers for two days, although sometimes, it can last longer.
Common symptoms of food poisoning include nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting and stomach cramps. Viral gastroenteritis has similar symptoms to food poisoning. See a doctor if you suspect food poisoning, particularly for young children, the elderly or the sick.
It can be caused by a viral infection. Symptoms may be similar and include diarrhoea, but whereas food poisoning symptoms usually begin 2 to 6 hours after eating contaminated food, with viral gastroenteritis, symptoms generally start 24 to 48 hours after exposure to the virus.
Most individuals with gastroenteritis will experience both diarrhea and vomiting, but some experience only one of these symptoms. Diarrhea is often very watery (type 7 on the Bristol stool chart), and can be bloody if the source of gastroenteritis is bacterial.
The severity of your symptoms and how long they'll last will vary depending on what got you sick and how well your body is prepared to fight it off. Most foodborne illnesses will pass within about two days.
Food poisoning doesn't just come on faster than the stomach flu — it also runs its course more quickly. Dr. Ford says viral gastroenteritis generally lingers for two days, although sometimes, it can last longer. In contrast, food poisoning “hopefully is going to be out of your system sooner than that,” Dr.
Viral gastroenteritis can be highly infectious so it can spread very easily. It spreads when a person comes in contact with the vomit or faeces (poo) of an infected person, including: person-to-person contact, for example shaking hands with someone who has been sick and has the virus on their hands.
Yes, one person can get food poisoning and another who ate the same food can not get it, Dr. Vento says. “This is often due to the 'infectious dose' that is consumed by each individual, but can also be related to other things about each individual,” he says.
Well, fortunately, you'll usually recover from the most common types of food poisoning within 12 to 48 hours. Your goal should be to make sure that your body gets enough fluids so that you don't become dehydrated. Don't eat solid foods until diarrhea has passed, and avoid dairy products.
In most cases, people with food poisoning get better on their own without medical treatment.
Do stick with bland foods. One tried-and-true diet for diarrhea is the BRAT diet: bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. Low in fiber, bland, and starchy, these foods can help replace lost nutrients and firm up your stools.
Gastro can be spread very easily. You might get it from having contact with an infected person (or their vomit or poo). It can also spread via contaminated food or water. It's important to stay home, away from work, school or childcare, until 48 hours after the last episode of vomiting or diarrhoea.
As viral gastro is very infectious, people with symptoms should not go to work or attend child care centres, kindergartens or schools until 48 hours after symptoms have stopped.
To rehydrate, it is best to use a commercial rehydration solution, such as Gastrolyte, Pedialyte or Pediatric Electrolyte. Commercial rehydration solutions contain the ideal proportion of water, sugar and mineral salts your body needs to recover.
Avoid spicy or acidic foods, caffeinated beverages, and alcohol after food poisoning. Foods that are high in fats, protein, and fiber may also be hard to digest.
The best foods to eat after a bout of food poisoning are bland foods that are easy to digest and things that restore hydration. These include bananas, rice, oatmeal, chicken broth, crackers, and rehydrating solutions like Gatorade and Pedialyte.