What is the Difference Between Food Poisoning and Stomach Bug?

The main difference between food poisoning and a stomach bug (or gastroenteritis) is the cause and the time it takes for symptoms to develop. Here are the key distinctions:

• Cause: Food poisoning is typically caused by consuming contaminated, spoiled, or toxic food, which can lead to infection by bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Stomach bugs, on the other hand, are usually caused by viruses, most commonly norovirus, rotavirus, and adenovirus.
• Incubation Period: The symptoms of a stomach bug typically take 12 to 48 hours to develop after exposure to the virus. In contrast, food poisoning symptoms usually develop much faster, often within 2 to 6 hours after consuming contaminated food.
• Duration: Stomach bugs usually last for 1 to 3 days, while food poisoning rarely lasts more than a day or even a few hours.

Both food poisoning and stomach bugs share similar symptoms, such as diarrhea, fever, vomiting, nausea, stomach or intestinal cramps, and fatigue. However, food poisoning may include additional symptoms like headache, sweating, and eye sensitivity. The severity of symptoms can also vary, with food poisoning symptoms often being more severe and developing more quickly than stomach bug symptoms.

Comparative Table: Food Poisoning vs Stomach Bug

The following table highlights the differences between food poisoning and a stomach bug (viral gastroenteritis):

Despite the similarities in their symptoms, food poisoning and the stomach bug can be distinguished by their causes, incubation periods, and durations of symptoms. Food poisoning typically results from consuming contaminated food and has a shorter incubation period than the stomach bug, which is caused by viral infections.