Stomach flu and food poisoning are often used interchangeably to describe the same symptoms of stomach disorders. There is substantial difference between stomach flu and food poisoning even though the symptoms can be almost the same or exactly the same.
It must be clarified right at the outset that stomach flu is not the right nomenclature. It is widely used in a colloquial way but the real term to describe the condition is gastroenteritis. Stomach flu is wrongly named because the term flu can only be associated with a viral infection that causes respiratory ailments. In other words, viral infections in the respiratory tract can be termed as flu. However, because stomach flu is also caused by viruses or a viral infection, it is often so named and referred to as.
The primary difference between stomach flu and food poisoning is that the former is caused by a viral infection or by any specific type of virus while the latter can be caused by bacteria, fungi, toxins or by stale foods.
Food poisoning can be caused if the food has been improperly handled, poorly cooked or if the ingredients were stale or rotten. Different kinds of bacteria and fungi or chemicals can also cause food poisoning. In this regard, the difference between stomach flu and food poisoning is that the former is caused by contaminated food. When any food or dish is already contaminated with a virus and that food is ingested by anyone, the virus causes an infection in the intestines, thereon causing stomach flu.
Both stomach flu and food poisoning would cause fever, nausea, vomiting tendencies and in some cases diarrhoea. Bleeding or excreting blood, brutal stomach cramps and pain in the abdominal area are also common symptoms of both the conditions. Stomach flu and food poisoning would show symptoms anywhere between one hour to twenty four hours after having consumed the food that caused the condition.
It is important to identify the food that may have caused either stomach flu or food poisoning because that food must be avoided. Both these conditions call for medical intervention but they can subside on their own as well. Usually, the body gets rid of the virus, bacteria, fungi or toxins and chemicals and the condition can subside. However, there are side effects and some serious cases of stomach flu and food poisoning would demand medical intervention.
