Stomach Flu or Food Poisoning? Symptom Checker

Stomach Flu or Food Poisoning: Quick Quiz

Answer these quick questions to better understand what might be causing your symptoms:

• Did your symptoms start suddenly after eating something questionable?
• Are you feeling nauseous, vomiting, or having watery diarrhea?
• Do you have a fever, body aches, or chills?
• Did anyone around you recently have similar symptoms?
• Are you having sharp stomach cramps?
• Did your symptoms appear within a few hours of eating?

Take a moment and count how many times you answered "Yes."

What Do Your Answers Mean?

• Mostly "Yes" to questions about food or sudden symptoms:
  Your signs may point to food poisoning, especially if the symptoms started just a few hours after eating.
• Mostly "Yes" to flu-like symptoms or contact with sick people:
  You might have a stomach virus (stomach flu), especially if others around you have been sick recently.

If you're still unsure whether it's stomach flu or food poisoning after taking the quiz, try Docus Symptom Checker for personalized, quick guidance based on your symptoms.

Remember: This quiz is a helpful guide, not a medical diagnosis. Always talk to a healthcare professional if you’re unsure or your symptoms get worse.

What Are Stomach Flu and Food Poisoning?

When your stomach starts to hurt, it’s easy to feel confused. You might ask, “Was it something I ate? Or did I catch a bug?” Two of the most common causes of sudden stomach problems are stomach flu and food poisoning. They can feel very similar, but they come from different sources and need different care.

Stomach Flu (Gastroenteritis)

Stomach flu is a common illness caused by viruses. It spreads from person to person, often through unwashed hands, shared food, or touching contaminated surfaces.

The virus affects your digestive system. It can make you feel sick, tired, and weak. Most people recover in a few days, but the symptoms can be uncomfortable.

Food Poisoning

Food poisoning happens when you eat food or drink water that contains harmful bacteria, viruses, or toxins. This can happen if food is undercooked, not stored properly, or handled with dirty hands.

It often starts quickly and can feel very strong at first. Unlike stomach flu, food poisoning usually comes from just one bad meal.

What Causes Stomach Flu and Food Poisoning?

Causes of Stomach Flu

Stomach flu is caused by viruses like norovirus or rotavirus. These viruses spread easily, especially in places like schools, offices, or homes with shared bathrooms.

You can get stomach flu by:

• Touching surfaces with the virus on them
• Eating food made by someone who’s sick
• Not washing your hands after using the toilet

Causes of Food Poisoning

Food poisoning comes from eating or drinking something contaminated. Bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli are common causes, but viruses or toxins can also play a role.

You can get food poisoning by:

• Eating food left out too long
• Consuming undercooked meat or eggs
• Drinking water that’s not clean
• Touching raw meat, then touching your mouth or food

How Quickly Do Symptoms Start?

Stomach Flu Onset

If you have the stomach flu, symptoms usually start 1 to 2 days after being exposed to the virus. That means you might catch it on Monday, but not feel sick until Tuesday or Wednesday.

Food Poisoning Onset

With food poisoning, symptoms often come on very quickly. You might feel fine after eating, but within a few hours, the nausea and cramps begin. In many cases, people feel sick the same day they ate the bad food.

What Are the Symptoms of Stomach Flu and Food Poisoning?

It’s not always easy to tell the difference between stomach flu and food poisoning just by how you feel. Both can start suddenly and make you feel miserable. But the symptoms, and how long they last, can help you figure out what’s going on.

Stomach Flu Symptoms

The stomach flu often comes with a full-body feeling of illness. You may feel tired, achy, and unwell in general. It usually lasts 1 to 3 days, though some people feel a bit weak or queasy even after the worst is over.

Common signs include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Watery diarrhea
• Fever and chills
• Stomach cramps
• Muscle or body aches

Food Poisoning Symptoms

Food poisoning usually shows up fast, often just hours after eating. The symptoms tend to hit harder but don’t usually last as long. Many people feel better within a few hours to 2 days, depending on what they ate and how much.

You might notice:

• Sudden vomiting
• Sharp stomach cramps
• Diarrhea
• Occasionally, a mild fever or chills

If your symptoms stick around for more than 48 hours or keep getting worse, it's a good idea to seek medical advice.

Is It Contagious?

Stomach Flu

Yes, stomach flu is very contagious. You can catch it by touching shared surfaces, using the same bathroom, or even preparing food while sick. It spreads easily, especially in families or group settings.

Washing your hands often and avoiding close contact with sick people can help stop it from spreading.

Food Poisoning

Food poisoning is usually not contagious. Most cases happen from eating or drinking something that was contaminated. However, if someone doesn't wash their hands after being sick and then handles food, it can still spread that way.

How to Treat Stomach Flu and Food Poisoning?

Whether it’s stomach flu or food poisoning, the most important thing is to take care of your body while it recovers. Most cases get better on their own with some rest and care at home.

Stomach Flu Treatment

If you have the stomach flu, the main goal is to stay comfortable and avoid spreading it to others.

Here’s what helps:

• Rest as much as possible, your body needs time to fight the virus
• Drink fluids like water or broth to prevent dehydration
• When you can eat, go for bland foods like toast or crackers
• Wash your hands often, especially after using the bathroom or before eating

Most people feel better in a few days without needing medical treatment.

Food Poisoning Treatment

Food poisoning can feel more intense at first, but many people start feeling better quickly with simple care.

Try this:

• Rest and avoid any physical activity while you're sick
• Drink small sips of fluid often to stay hydrated
• Wait to eat until vomiting stops, then stick to light meals
• Stay away from dairy, greasy, or spicy foods while recovering

If your symptoms don’t improve or become more severe, it’s best to contact a healthcare provider.

When Should You See a Doctor?

Most people recover at home, but some symptoms can be a sign that something more serious is going on.

You should get medical help if you:

• Have a high fever that doesn’t go down
• See blood in your stool or vomit
• Feel very dizzy, dry-mouthed, or weak (signs of dehydration)
• Still feel sick after 2–3 days, or if symptoms keep getting worse

It’s always better to be safe and check with a professional if you’re unsure whether it's the stomach flu or food poisoning.

Still not sure which one fits your case? Try the Symptom Checker for quick, clear answers based on your symptoms.