When someone says they have the flu, what imagery comes to mind first — stomach upset or coughing and a fever?
There's a big difference between influenza, the viral respiratory infection we commonly call "the flu," and the dreaded "stomach flu," which is actually gastroenteritis, a digestive system disruptor caused by viruses like norovirus.
Understanding the difference is key to prevention and recovery. Because neither illness is a walk in the park.
Gastroenteritis (stomach flu)
“Gastroenteritis is commonly caused by norovirus, a very contagious virus that almost everyone has experienced at some point in their lives,” said Colton Pate, DO, an internal medicine physician with Endeavor Health.
Symptoms typically begin 1 or 2 days after the virus enters your body, usually after someone is exposed to the tiny germ-filled particles from an infected person’s feces or vomit.
This can happen when someone eats or drinks something contaminated with the particles, touches a surface with the particles on it, then touches their mouth, or has direct contact with someone who’s infected through taking care of them or sharing their eating utensils.
The symptoms can include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Watery diarrhea
- Headache
- Fever
- Chills
- Stomachache
Norovirus must run its course and clear on its own, as there is no medication to treat it. Luckily, most people feel better within a day or two.
Influenza (the flu)
The flu is caused by two types of viruses: influenza A or influenza B. Symptoms usually start about two days after someone is exposed to the virus.
“The influenza viruses mainly spread when infected people cough, sneeze or talk and others inhale the respiratory droplets, or when someone touches infected droplets on a surface then touches their nose, eyes or mouth,” Dr. Pate said. “Influenza isn’t as easily spread as norovirus, but it is quite contagious.”
Flu symptoms often start suddenly and are severe. They can include:
- Fever/chills
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny/stuffy nose
- Muscle aches, headaches
- Fatigue
- Vomiting and diarrhea (more common in kids than adults)
How to avoid getting sick
Because both illnesses are caused by viruses, antibiotics will not lessen their impact. For the flu, antiviral medication taken early in the infection may shorten its duration.
“Vaccines are a good place to start when it comes to reducing your risk of illness from influenza,” Dr. Pate said. “Flu shots won’t guarantee you won’t get infected, but the vaccine can help lessen the severity of symptoms if you get sick and help prevent serious illness or hospitalization.”
As for norovirus, good personal hygiene and home cleanliness will go a long way toward preventing infection. Norovirus particles can stay infectious on surfaces for some time, which makes it very easy to catch if you aren’t vigilant about handwashing and cleaning surfaces.
Take these steps to increase your chances of staying healthy:
- Wash your hands often with soap and running water
- Try not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth
- Cover your mouth (with a tissue or into your elbow) when you cough or sneeze
- Avoid close contact with sick people
- Get vaccinated
- Clean or disinfect shared surfaces or commonly touched items if someone in your household is sick
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