Different Causes “You can also get a stomach bug by touching any surface that has been in contact with the stool, saliva or vomit of someone infected with the virus.” By contrast, the cause of food poisoning is consumption of food or water contaminated by bacteria, certain viruses, and less commonly, parasites.
However, the key distinction is time: The symptoms of a stomach bug will take 12 to 48 hours to develop, while the symptoms of food poisoning typically develop much faster, usually with 6 hours of consuming an infected dish. Another common difference between the two is the length of illness.
Unlike viral gastroenteritis, food poisoning is strictly based on what you eat. It can be caused by bacteria, parasites and viruses. And just like with the stomach flu, you may experience the same symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever.
Gastroenteritis and food poisoning share many of the same symptoms, including the hallmark signs of inflammation of the stomach and intestines. But the two conditions are different, and clinicians consider viral gastroenteritis as distinct from similar illnesses caused by bacteria or parasites.
Check if you have food poisoning
being sick (vomiting) stomach cramps. a high temperature of 38C or above. feeling generally unwell – such as feeling tired or having aches and chills.
Stomach Viruses Last Longer
Unlike stomach viruses, however, food poisoning often runs its course within a few days, and more commonly within 24-36 hours. While some stomach viruses may also come and go quickly, they can cause lasting discomfort for up to 10 days.
Stomach bugs, also called gastroenteritis, are very common in young children and can cause vomiting, diarrhea and sometimes a fever. Gastroenteritis typically lasts in the neighborhood of three to seven days, but sometimes it can be shorter and, unfortunately, sometimes it lasts longer.
Symptoms of food poisoning
feeling sick (nausea) being sick (vomiting) diarrhoea, which may contain blood or mucus. stomach cramps and abdominal pain.
Most people fully recover from the most common types of food poisoning within 12 to 48 hours. Some types of food poisoning can cause serious complications. Death from food poisoning in people who are otherwise healthy is rare in the United States.
Doctors often diagnose food poisoning based on your symptoms. If your symptoms are mild and last only a short time, you typically won't need tests. In some cases, a medical history, a physical exam, stool tests, and blood tests can help diagnose food poisoning.
There is no real cure for a stomach bug (viral gastroenteritis) because it is caused by a virus. Most people don't need medical treatment and symptoms will go away on their own within a few days, though in some people symptoms may last up to 10 days.
When you have viral gastroenteritis, you should drink plenty of liquids to replace lost fluids and electrolytes. You may vomit after you eat or lose your appetite for a short time. When your appetite returns, you can most often go back to eating your normal diet, even if you still have diarrhea.
Why does stomach flu hit at night? In some people, the stomach flu symptoms may be more pronounced at night due to their circadian rhythm. At night an increase in immune system activity releases infection-fighting chemicals. These can cause inflammation that make you feel worse as you battle your flu.
Clostridium perfringens is yet another bacteria found in raw meat and poultry that leads to a million more cases of food poisoning every year. It produces a toxin inside your intestines that causes cramps and diarrhea. So there's no vomiting or fever with this infection.
Salmonella is the most common bacterial cause of food poisoning in the U.S. and is responsible for the highest number of hospitalizations and deaths from food poisoning.
The reason why some people who ate the same food get sick while others don't is due to the health of the people involved as well as the amount of food poisoning-inducing bacteria each person ingested. The most common symptoms of food poisoning are nausea and diarrhea.
You should immediately seek food poisoning treatment in the ER if you begin to notice blood in your urine, feces, or vomit, diarrhea lasting more than three days, or signs of severe dehydration including extreme thirst, loss of consciousness, or confusion.