Are food poisoning and stomach flu the same thing?
They may or may not be, depending if the causative agent is transmitted by contaminated food, or if the agent is transmitted by non-food mechanisms such as body secretions. Most health care practitioners equate stomach flu to viral gastroenteritis (gastro=stomach + entero= intestine + itis= inflammation). Stomach flu is a non specific term that describes an illness that usually resolves within 24 hours and is caused commonly by the adenovirus, Norwalk virus or rotavirus, most commonly found in children. If numerous cases of “stomach flu” occur in a situation where many people have been eating, it certainly may be considered food poisoning. Norwalk virus is responsible for many cases of food borne illness outbreaks on cruise ships. When should the doctor be called for food poisoning? With a clear fluid diet and rest, most infections resolve on their own within 24 hours. A health care practitioner should be contacted if the vomiting and diarrhea are associated with one or more of the fol
