Food poisoning or stomach bug: decode your symptoms

FOOD POISONING SYMPTOMS * Diarrhea * Stomach pain or cramps * Nausea * Vomiting * Fever * Severe symptoms may include vomiting so often you can’t keep liquids down, bloody diarrhea,

dehydration, a fever above 102°F. or diarrhea for more than three days.   SYMPTOMS OF THE STOMACH BUG * Diarrhea * Vomiting * Nausea * Stomach pain * Fever * Headache * Body aches HOW TO

TREAT FOOD POISONING OR THE STOMACH FLU If you can manage your symptoms at home, it's most important to stay hydrated. “Usually both the stomach bug and food poisoning can be treated

at home. Most people can get away just resting and hydrating with lots of fluids,” says Viola. Reach for drinks such as Pedialyte, diluted sports drinks or juice. Another drink that can help

prevent dehydration involves combining a hint of sugar, a dash of salt, and a squeeze of any citrus fruit into a glass of water, Ganjhu suggests. “Every time you have a bowel movement,

try to keep some sort of hydration,” says Ganjhu. “When I say hydration, I don’t just mean water. Have some sort of electrolyte water." However, you will want to avoid taking an

antidiarrheal that contains ingredients such as loperamide because it will delay the toxins from leaving your body. Other over-the-counter medications such as bismuth subsalicylate

(Pepto-Bismol and similar medications) can help with nausea and sour stomach, Ganjhu adds. WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR With either condition, if you have diarrhea, nausea or vomiting that lasts

for more than two to three days, a fever above 102°F, blood in your stool or signs of dehydration, you should call your doctor. Symptoms of dehydration include a decrease in urination,

feeling dizzy when standing up, dry mouth and throat, weakness, confusion, blurred vision and even passing out.   “Individuals have to be their own best advocate. If you have been vomiting

and have diarrhea for more than 72 hours, you need to have tests for foodborne illnesses,” says Baum. “Many medical professionals won’t run them, and you need to be aware of whether you

consumed something that was recalled due to some type of bacterial contaminant.” Typically, older adults and individuals with compromised immune systems often require intravenous (IV) fluids

as the initial course of action during a hospital visit. Subsequently, a stool study is recommended to identify the underlying cause of distress. In cases of food poisoning, an antibiotic

or antiparasitic treatment may be administered. Alternatively, you may receive a prescription for an anti-cramping medication or be advised to undergo a computed tomography (CT or CAT) scan

to assess the level of inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. For those who can’t get to an ER, some urgent care units can administer an IV to treat dehydration and may be able to

provide a GI pathogen panel. AFTER RECOVERING FROM FOOD POISONING Some people who recover from food poisoning, particularly in severe cases, might encounter mental hurdles when they return

to normal eating habits. “Even though the symptoms are gone, and you might have physically recovered from a severe foodborne illness, there are a lot of emotional scars that linger, because

you have to eat every day,” says Baum. “But if something you ate almost killed you, it’s very, very difficult to go back to being carefree.”  The nonprofit Stop Foodborne Illness offers a

resource center to help those who are struggling readjust to regular eating habits and provides additional information to help people navigate a food poisoning diagnosis.