what is the difference?
2007-12-21 08:38:18 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Infectious Diseases
Stomach flu - Caused by highly contagious nororvirus. Can by transmitted via food surfaces or person to person contact, especially if bathrooms are shared. Common symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping and either no fever or a very low-grade fever. Onsets are 12 to 36 hours after ingestion of virus. Symptom duration 24 to 72 hours.
Food poisonings - Caused by viruses, bacteria, bacterial toxins and chemicals. Symptoms vary by causative agent. Often involves vomiting and diarrhea. But could also include neurological impairment, allergy-like reactions, burning sensations.
If the problem is a bacterial infection like pathogenic E. coli or Salmonella, expect diarrhea, vomiting, cramps and FEVERS. Onsets are between 1 and 3 days after exposure. Symptoms generally last 3 to 7 days.
If it's bacterial toxin (waste products that bacteria leave behind), expect diarrhea and vomiting, no fevers. Onsets range from 6 to 12 hours, and last less than a day. But if it's botulism (a bacterial intoxication), you experience descending paralysis. and you could die!
There are naturally occuring toxins like ciguatera, amnesic and domoic acid. These all cause weird neurological symptoms and can be very dangerous. You get them from seafood contaminated during algae blooms.
And there are chemical poisonings, too, like industrial chemicals getting into food made in unsafe factories (China, I'm looking at you!).
btw, one common fallacy that I see time and time again is that people think that food poisoning is instantaneous. It is NOT. It takes many hours before a foodborne illness takes hold, which is why when I interview people with restaurant complaints, I ask for info on everything they ate in the 72 prior to sickness.
2007-12-21 09:08:40 · answer #1 · answered by Gumdrop Girl 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it comes on very quickly with no prior symtoms I would question the food you ate. Food poisoning is way more common than you might think. Also it goes away quicker too.
2007-12-21 16:47:00 · answer #2 · answered by Leslie 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
almost same symptoms. if more than one person got sick from the food, then more than likely its food poisoning. if you get sever diarrhea all of a sudden , then more than likely its the food.
2007-12-21 17:30:43 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
one is viral and the other could be caused by bacteria or viruses. symptoms may differ slightly.
2007-12-21 16:46:17 · answer #4 · answered by chaz 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋