If you’ve suddenly come down with nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, you may be wondering: is it food poisoning or a stomach bug? Both can leave you feeling miserable, but they’re caused by different things and may require slightly different approaches to treat. Knowing the difference can help you better understand your symptoms, avoid spreading illness, and decide when to seek medical attention.
For same-day illness treatment, visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care Union City. Our medical team provides testing and treatment 7 days a week with no appointments required. If you’d like to plan your visit in advance, simply schedule below.
What is a Stomach Bug?
A stomach bug, or viral gastroenteritis, is an infection of the stomach and intestines caused by a virus. The most common culprits are norovirus and rotavirus. You can catch it from close contact with someone who’s been infected, eating contaminated food, drinking contaminated water, or touching surfaces that carry the virus. Typical symptoms of a stomach bug include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Watery diarrhea
- Abdominal cramping
- Low-grade fever
- Fatigue or body aches
- Headache
Symptoms usually begin 12 to 48 hours after exposure and can last anywhere from one to three days, though norovirus sometimes lingers a bit longer. Because it’s viral, antibiotics won’t help. Instead, treatment focuses on hydration and symptom relief until your body fights off the infection.
What is Food Poisoning?
Food poisoning happens when you eat food or drink water contaminated with bacteria, viruses, or toxins. Common causes include Salmonella, E. coli, or Listeria. The symptoms of food poisoning are similar to those of a stomach bug, but there are some key differences:
- Onset is faster. Symptoms often appear within a few hours of eating contaminated food, sometimes as soon as 1 hour, or up to 24 hours later.
- Symptoms may be more intense. Food poisoning can cause sudden, severe nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Bloody diarrhea or high fever may occur with certain bacterial infections
Most people recover from mild food poisoning within 1 to 2 days, but bacterial infections can sometimes last longer or require medical treatment.
Key Differences Between Food Poisoning and a Stomach Bug
Although both conditions affect your digestive system, there are a few ways to tell them apart. The first being how you got sick. Food poisoning usually comes from eating contaminated food or beverage, while a stomach bug spreads from person to person. Food poisoning typically starts suddenly within a few hours of eating, whereas stomach bugs take longer to develop. Additionally, a stomach bug is contagious, and food poisoning usually isn’t unless others eat the same contaminated food. If several people who ate the same meal get sick around the same time, food poisoning is more likely. But if symptoms appear gradually among people in close contact, it’s probably a viral stomach infection.
When To Seek Medical Care
Most mild cases of both food poisoning and stomach bugs resolve on their own with rest and fluids. However, you should visit urgent care if you experience:
- Diarrhea or vomiting lasting more than 3 days
- High fever
- Severe abdominal pain or cramping
- Bloody vomit or stool
- Signs of dehydration
- Inability to keep fluids down
Providers can evaluate your symptoms, check for dehydration, and recommend the necessary treatment. In some cases, they may perform tests to determine whether your illness is caused by bacteria, a virus, or something else.
Get Walk-In Illness Treatment at AFC Urgent Care Union City in Union City, NJ Today
While food poisoning and stomach bugs share similar symptoms, the main difference lies in how and when you got sick. Food poisoning typically comes on fast after eating contaminated food, while stomach bugs are contagious infections that take longer to appear and spread easily. If your symptoms are severe, you can’t stay hydrated, or your illness lasts more than a few days, visit AFC Urgent Care Union City. Our team can help determine the cause, provide fast relief, and help you recover safely. Don’t wait it out if you’re feeling unwell. Walk in today for same-day care and expert support. Our team of experienced medical providers can diagnose and treat a wide range of illnesses in patients of all ages.
We accept most health insurance plans and offer low-cost options for self-paying patients. If you have any additional questions about the services we provide, please contact a member of our team directly at (551) 257-1948.
