When nausea with diarrhea or cramps suddenly set in, you might not know whether it is the stomach flu or food toxicosis. They are different and the two could make one miserable. The difference in the two can guide you to the correct treatment and key to what made you sick.

What Is Food Toxicosis?

Food toxicosis is caused when you consume contaminated food infected by bacteria, viruses and parasites. There are occasions that illness can be also caused by the toxins that these germs produce. Food that may get spoilt due to inadequate cooking on meat, fruits, or vegetables; or food that has been left uncovered in the outdoor environment, form common sources.

Typical Food Toxicosis Causes

• Consuming non-cooked food.
• Eating of food kept at unacceptable temperatures.
• Consumption of polluted water.
• Consumption of food not washed with hygiene.

Symptoms of Food Toxicosis

The symptoms usually come up fast; frequently taking just a few hours following food contamination by consumption. Around 30 minutes are the time when some individuals will get sick, whereas others will experience effects on 12 to 24 hours.

• Stomach cramps
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea (bloody watery)
• Fever in some cases
• Fatigue and weakness

What Is Stomach Flu?

Viral gastroenteritis or stomach flu is the infection of the digestive system by viruses. Contrary to food toxicosis, it is transmitted by human to human, normally through interaction with infected human beings or objects. Also, it can be transmitted in infected food and water but viral infection will be the primary cause.

Common Causes of Stomach Flu

• Physical contact with a carrier.
• Handling the virus laden surfaces and then touching your mouth.
• The intake of contaminated water or food.

Symptoms of Stomach Flu

After exposure to the virus, the symptoms can be observed in one or three days. They can be as long-lived as toxins.

• Watery diarrhea
• Nausea and vomiting
• Stomach pain and cramps
• Headache and body aches
• Low-grade fever
• Dehydration in the event of non-replacement of fluids

Key Differences Between Food Toxicosis and Stomach Flu

Food toxicosis and stomach flu have similar symptoms; however, their causes differ, and they have to be treated differently. Knowing the important differences can aid in diagnosing the condition and demanding suitable treatment.

Onset of Symptoms

The onset of food toxicosis associated with Hughesia (a bacterial genus linked to foodborne illness) is usually very rapid, occurring soon after ingestion of contaminated food—typically within hours. The stomach flu, on the contrary, generally takes a longer time to manifest the symptoms after an exposure and often it can take an entire day or two before the signs appear.

Duration of Illness

Food toxicosis is mostly a short-term illness and those affected recover within one to three days as the body swings into action to get rid of the toxins. Stomach flu, on the other hand, has a tendency to put up with the symptoms that last several days and in some instances extend to a maximum of one week and recovery is therefore a long process.

Source of Illness

Food toxicosis is the toxicosis that is caused when one ingests contaminated food, or pretends to have drunk harmful water. Examples of common culprits include bacteria such as Salmonella or E. coli, which are common to naively cooked/stored food. Stomach flu, however, is not associated with contaminated food but viruses, including norovirus, spread by person-to-person or shared surface contact.

Fever and Body Aches

The stomach flu is more commonly linked with mild fever and aches in the body because it is a viral agent, which commonly causes an immune response. Whether or not to present fever is however, dependent on the bacteria, toxin or pathogen itself, causing food toxicosis. In the case of food toxicosis that accompanies fever, the fever is most of the time mild and comes with other gastrointestinal symptoms.

When to Seek Medical Help

In the majority of either food toxicosis or stomach flu cases, rest and proper care can help improve it at home. Nonetheless, medical assistance can be required in case:

• You can not retain any liquids at all.
• Diarrhea is severe or bloody
• Your fever is indefinitely high.
• There is the suggestion of dehydration, including light-headedness, extremely dry mouth, or little to no urination.

How to Care for Yourself at Home

Home-based treatment can heavily be helpful in recovering after food toxicosis or the stomach flu. Pay attention to being hydrated and gradually resuming eating in small amounts of very soft/easy to digest food.

Stay Hydrated

Both stomach flu and food toxicosis typical traits are dehydration and thus it is necessary to replace the fluid that is lost. Make sure to drink water at regular intervals throughout the day, and have clear soups or oral re-hydration salts to replace electrolytes. It is important to avoid caffeinated beverages and sugar drinks that will increase the effects of dehydration.

Rest and Recover

To combat infection, your body requires energy, thus make sure you place an emphasis on rest. Rest, shake off, like activities, until you are feeling good. Resting also helps you rebuild your strength more efficiently as well as to assist your immune system.

Eat Light Foods

Once you begin to eat again, be sure to reduce the digestive load as much as possible by consuming plain yet relatively easy-to-chew foods such as rice, bananas, toast, or applesauce. These have the potential of calming your stomach down without additional irritation. Abstain spicy, greasy or fried food, which may be excessive on your digestive system when you are still bouncing back.

Practice Good Hygiene

One of the main ways out of spreading illness is by keeping the hygiene well. Wash hands with soap and lots of water particularly before eating, after going to the restroom or handling foods. The habit is possibly the most effective way to help avoid stomach flu and food toxicosis not only to oneself but also to the people around one as well.

Preventing Food Toxicosis

• Bake meat and seafood to a good cook.
• Prewash fruits and vegetables, and eat them.
• Store raw and cooked foods in a different place.
• Keep food at temperatures that are safe.
• Wash hands prior to and after touching food.

Preventing Stomach Flu

• Frequently wash hands with soap and water.
• Clean regularly touched surfaces
• usually several times a day.
• Keep off with sick people.
• Drink fresh water and cook.

Conclusion

The causes and patterns of food toxicosis and stomach flu may seem similar at the beginning, but there is a difference. Contaminated food is a source of food toxicosis and typically it attacks swiftly whereas the stomach flu is spread amongst individuals and is caused by virus. They both may cause pain, yet majority of the conditions require rest, fluids and easy home treatment. The difference can allow you to react better and avoid disease in the future.