You know the feeling—an unexpected queasiness that makes you wonder. Was the lunch meat bad, had the dip been out too long, should I have avoided the raw fish? All likely questions if you think you have food poisoning. But how do you know if you’re suffering from food poisoning or a stomach bug?
First, it's not really "poisoning," explains Pennsylvania Medical Society member Frederic Becker, MD, an internal medicine physician in the Philadelphia area.
"It's a food-borne illness which means bacteria or other organisms in the food made you sick," adds Dr. Becker.
Food poisoning symptoms generally come on quickly and can include vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain, lasting about 6-12 hours.
"You can usually relate it to an event—a recent meal that may have been contaminated," he says.
A good way to know if it's food-related is to ask if others who shared the same food/drink or ate at the same restaurant also became ill.
Watch for these signs:
- Abdominal cramps
- Diarrhea (may be bloody)
- Fever and chills
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Weakness (may be serious and lead to respiratory arrest, as in the case of botulism)
On the other hand, viral gastroenteritis, commonly known as the stomach virus/bug/flu, is not really a flu, but a virus that takes about 12-24 hours to set in, and normally lasts 1-6 days. Dr. Becker explains that the symptoms are nearly identical to food poisoning, but may last longer.
As is the case with any illness that causes diarrhea or nausea, hydration is key. Replace lost fluids with water or drink clear soups, clear sodas, or juice mixed with water. You can also buy oral rehydration solutions that contain the right mix of salt, sugar, and other nutrients, but avoid sports drinks because they don’t contain the right balance of electrolytes.
Remember to store, cook and serve foods at the proper temperature and pay special attention to anything made with eggs, raw meat, or mayonnaise. And as Dr. Becker advises: "It's really pretty simple. Wash your hands and cook your food."