Nausea from stomach bug or food poisoning?

Updated: March 7th, 2023

We all experience stomach troubles from time to time, but when you’re hit with sudden and severe symptoms, it can be hard to know what’s causing your discomfort. Two common culprits of acute gastrointestinal distress are stomach bugs and food poisoning. While both can cause similar symptoms, they have different causes, treatments, and prevention methods.

Let’s dive into the differences between a stomach bug and food poisoning, how to identify which one you might have, and what to do about.

Stomach Bugs:

• Caused by a viral infection in the stomach and intestines
• Highly contagious and can spread through contact with infected individuals, contaminated food or water, or touching contaminated surfaces
• Symptoms usually develop within 1-3 days of exposure and can last up to 10 days
• Common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, fever, and fatigue
• Treatment typically involves rest, staying hydrated, and over-the-counter medications like anti-nausea or anti-diarrhea drugs
• Prevention methods include washing hands frequently, avoiding contact with sick individuals, and thoroughly cooking and storing food properly

Food Poisoning:

• Caused by consuming contaminated food or drink
• Can be caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, or toxins produced by bacteria or other microorganisms
• Symptoms can develop within a few hours to a few days of consuming contaminated food and usually last up to 48 hours
• Common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, fever, and headache
• Treatment typically involves rest, staying hydrated, and sometimes antibiotics or other medications to relieve symptoms
• Prevention methods include thoroughly cooking and storing food properly, washing hands and surfaces often, and avoiding cross-contamination of food

How to Identify Which One You Might Have:

• Consider the timing of your symptoms. Stomach bugs usually have a longer incubation period, while food poisoning symptoms can develop quickly after consuming contaminated food.
• Think about any recent exposure to potential sources of infection. Did you recently travel or come into contact with someone who was sick? Did you consume any questionable food or drink? Did you take antibiotics recently?
• Consider the severity of your symptoms. Stomach bugs can cause severe symptoms but tend to resolve on their own within a week or so. Food poisoning symptoms can also be severe but typically resolve within 48 hours.

What to Do About It:

• Stay hydrated. Both stomach bugs and food poisoning can cause dehydration, so it’s important to drink plenty of fluids to replace any lost fluids.
• Rest. Your body needs time to recover, so it’s important to take it easy and get plenty of rest.
• Seek medical attention if symptoms are severe or last longer than a few days. Vitality Urgent Care may be able to prescribe medication to relieve symptoms or provide further treatment if necessary.
• Take steps to prevent the spread of infection. If you suspect you have a stomach bug, avoid contact with others and wash your hands frequently. If you suspect food poisoning, dispose of any remaining contaminated food properly and clean any surfaces that may have come into contact with it.

Take Away:

While stomach bugs and food poisoning can cause similar symptoms, they have different causes and treatment methods. By understanding the differences between the two and taking steps to prevent infection, you can minimize your risk of developing gastrointestinal distress. If you’re experiencing severe symptoms or symptoms that last longer than a few days, it’s important to seek medical attention to ensure proper treatment. Vitality Urgent Care providers are knowledgeable in treatment of gastrointestinal disorders and ready to get you better faster.