Nausea is a common symptom for many ailments. While it can be caused by a variety of factors, food poisoning and stomach flu are two very common causes of nausea.
However, it can be challenging to differentiate between the two conditions since they have similar symptoms. Of course, your healthcare professional or expert virtual doctor can help you identify which condition is causing your nausea and other symptoms.
But how can you differentiate yourself?
Let’s discuss food poisoning and stomach flu and how to differentiate between them, so you can learn what is causing your nausea.
Food Poisoning
Food poisoning is a medical condition that occurs when you consume contaminated food or drinks. It is caused by bacteria, viruses, toxins, or parasites that have contaminated the food or water you consume.
The symptoms of food poisoning usually start within a few hours or days of consuming the contaminated food. These symptoms include:
l Nausea
l Vomiting
l Diarrhea
l Stomach cramps
l Fever
The severity of the symptoms depends on the type of food poisoning you have, or the type of contaminant in the food or drink you consumed. While severe complications from food poisoning are rare, the condition can be life-threatening in some cases.
Nausea is perhaps the most common symptom of mild food poisoning, which makes it a strong tell or indicator for most people.
Stomach Flu
On the other hand, stomach flu, also known as viral gastroenteritis, is a condition caused by a virus that infects your stomach and intestines. This intestinal infection is highly contagious and can be spread through contaminated food or water, or by coming into contact with someone who has the virus.
The symptoms of stomach flu include:
l Nausea
l Vomiting
l Diarrhea
l Stomach cramps
l Dehydration
l Fever
As you can tell, these symptoms are the same as the symptoms for food poisoning, which can make it difficult to differentiate between the two.
Differences- What Is Causing Your Nausea?
While the symptoms of food poisoning and stomach flu are similar, there are some key differences that can help you differentiate between the two conditions. One way to tell the difference is to consider the timing of the symptoms, particularly nausea, as it is the first symptom you’ll likely experience.
For example, if you start experiencing nausea or other symptoms within a few hours of consuming food, it is more likely to be food poisoning. However, if the symptoms appear a day or two after exposure, it may be a sign of stomach flu.
This is delay happens because it takes longer for the virus to incubate in your stomach or intestines during a stomach flu.
Another way to differentiate between the two is to consider the duration of the symptoms.
Food poisoning usually lasts for a few hours up to a few days, whereas stomach flu can last for several days to a week or more. Moreover, stomach flu can cause more severe symptoms, such as dehydration, that may require medical attention.
Do Not Wait To Get Help
If you are experiencing nausea or vomiting, or any of the other mentioned symptoms, you shouldn’t wait to get help, or to determine the cause of your symptoms. It is essential to seek medical attention, especially if your symptoms get worse or don’t go away within a day or two.
Your healthcare professional or expert virtual doctor can determine the underlying cause of your symptoms, and provide an effective treatment plan. Both conditions require plenty of rest and hydration, along with prescribed medication, but severe cases may also require medical intervention.
Fortunately, you don’t need to visit the doctor’s office to get medical advice for symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. With the advent of telemedicine, you can now consult with an expert virtual doctor for your symptoms from the comfort of your home.
An online doctor for treating nausea can help you determine the underlying cause of your nausea or other symptoms and recommend appropriate treatment.
During a virtual doctor’s appointment, the doctor will likely ask you about your symptoms, when they started, and how severe they are. They may also ask about your medical history and any medications you are taking.
Based on your answers, they may recommend home remedies, such as rest and hydration, or prescribe medication to help alleviate your symptoms.
Final Word
While food poisoning and stomach flu can cause similar symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, there are key differences that can help you differentiate between the two. Symptoms like nausea appear faster with food poisoning, whereas they are delayed, often more severe, and last a lot longer in stomach flu.
If you are experiencing these symptoms, it is important not to wait and seek medical attention to determine the underlying cause and appropriate treatment.
A virtual doctor’s appointments can be the most convenient and cost-effective solution for most people experiencing nausea, vomiting, or any of the mentioned symptoms. This is especially true if you or your family is not on a healthcare plan or does not have comprehensive health insurance.
Expert virtual doctors can allow you to receive professional medical advice from the comfort of your home, and at a fraction of the cost of a typical doctor’s visit.
If you or a loved one has nausea, food poisoning, or stomach flu, we highly recommend calling TelMDCare at (800) 230 2050, to book a virtual doctor’s appointment for easy online consultation with a specialist today!