Food Poisoning or Stomach Flu?

 Posted on March 29, 2017 in Food poisoning attorney

When you find yourself running to the bathroom, clutching your abdomen in pain, and feeling lightheaded, nauseous, and simply lousy, you could be suffering from food poisoning. You could also be suffering from gastroenteritis, or the stomach flu. More than three million cases of gastroenteritis are reported in the United States each year. Like many types of food poisoning, its symptoms are easily self-treatable and often subside on their own after a few days.

Use the guidelines below to determine whether your illness is gastroenteritis or food poisoning. If your food poisoning was due to being sold or served contaminated food, you may be able to recover compensation for your damages through a food poisoning claim.

When Did your Symptoms Begin?

Food poisoning symptoms can appear two to six hours after consuming the contaminated food, but in some cases, they appear later than this. Symptoms of stomach flu, on the other hand, tend to appear 24 to 48 hours after exposure to the gastroenteritis virus. It can be impossible to know when you were exposed to a virus, but try to think back to who you were with one to two days before the onset of your symptoms. Did he or she appear to be ill? Ask about the symptoms he or she is experiencing.

Who Else Experienced Symptoms?

Pay close attention to who else is experiencing your same symptoms when determining whether you are suffering from food poisoning or a stomach flu. If others who dined with you are now experiencing symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and nausea, you could be suffering from food poisoning. Try to narrow down what you ate and when to see if there are any overlaps between your experience and others.

Treating Food Poisoning and Stomach Flu

Treating a stomach virus is different from treating food poisoning. Many types of food poisoning, such as Salmonella and E.Coli, are caused by bacteria. They can be treated with antibiotics, but in many cases, this is not necessary. Gastroenteritis is caused by a virus, which means it cannot be treated with antibiotics. Individuals suffering from a stomach flu should refrain from eating, particularly solid foods, until their stomachs settle.

Vomiting and diarrhea can cause dehydration. It is important to remain properly hydrated if you are suffering from a stomach virus or from food poisoning. If your symptoms do not subside within a few days, seek medical attention.

Work with an Experienced Itasca Food Poisoning Lawyer

Sometimes, stomach illnesses can appear to be food poisoning. Careful examination of your condition by a physician is necessary to determine whether you are, in fact, suffering from food poisoning. If you determine that you are a victim of foodborne illness, consider working with an experienced food poisoning lawyer to pursue compensation for your damages through a personal injury claim. Contact our team at Newland & Newland, LLP today to set up your initial consultation with a member of our firm. We serve clients in the Arlington Heights, Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Libertyville, Mundelein, Buffalo Grove, Schaumburg, Elk Grove, and Itasca areas.