Food Poisoning or Flu ??

Question

1/2 hour ago I was constipated ... THen all of a sudden I have diareahia, followed by vomitting twice, then two more episodes of diareahia. (sorry for all the details).

How do I know if this is food poisoning or the flu?

I had a bagel with cream cheese for breakfast from a local bagel shop and pulled pork sandwich for lunch with cheesy potatoes and baked beans.

Bagel was 7 hours prior to the sickness; lunch was 3.5 hrs.

My temp is normal .. 97.5

Answer 1

Flu is a respiratory infection so it is not flu. Food poisoning is the most likely culprit. It happens much more often that we think it does.

Typical symptoms of food poisoning include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, and diarrhea that come on suddenly (within 48 hours) of consuming a contaminated food or drink. Depending on the contaminant, fever and chills, bloody stools, dehydration, and nervous system damage may follow. These symptoms may affect one person or a group of people who ate the same thing (this would be called an outbreak).

These sites should clarify the issue for you. I hope you feel better soon.

Answer 2

The Flu doesn't give you diarrhea. The Flu (influenza) is a respiratory disease. You would have a fever of 1001 or more
Food poisoning can give you the symptoms you describe but you probably would not feel like getting on your computer to ask any questions. This usually makes you sicker than it appears you are.
You may have the 'stomach bug' that goes around several times a year. Just rest for today and drink soft drink in small quantities until vomiting and nausea go away.
Tomorrow start with the BRAT(banana, rice, apple, toast/tea) diet until you know for sure you are finished with diarrhea. Then stick to a bland diet for the day. Gradually increase foods that you can tolerate.
Sometimes if you are very constipated you could have these symptoms as your body knows it has to get rid of waste.

Answer 3

First of all there is no such thing as "stomach flu". It is a term that has been adopted socially to identify with short term symptoms of nausea/vomiting and diarrhea. The "flu" which is clinically called influenza is an upper respiratory virus which generally causes symptoms of; sore throat; fever; chills; body aches; coughing and sometimes nausea. What we pick up that has been noted as "stomach flu" are sources of bacteria that generally comes from contaminated food or fecal matter and is transmitted via eating or unclean hands. Chronic or intermittent vomiting may mean there is something else wrong and needs to be addressed a physician. Try to be more careful when dining out and make sure you wash your hands that is your only defence against injesting nasty bacteria.

Answer 4

You may not have a fever with the flu. One of the defining characteristics of the stomoach flu (besides all the other symptoms) is malaise...or diffuse body pain.

In food poisoning, abdominal pain often accompanies the vomiting and diarrhea.

Answer 5

It's not the flu, that is for sure. The flu has nothing to do with the GI tract. It's possible that it may be a stomach bug, in which case you should drink plenty of liquids (water is preferred) and get some rest.

Answer 6

i have had fp and work in health dept and also at a rest. it takes around 24 hr for fp you will vomit untill you have dry heaves gross you may have to go er if not dr ask for pheagan it will help alot also small sips of room temp water remember you will vomit back up if too much get well soon

Answer 7

it sounds like stomach flu

Answer 8

hope you get to feeling better