Food Poisoning or Stomach Virus? The Telltale Symptoms to Look For

The terms food poisoning, stomach bug, stomach flu, and stomach virus are often used interchangeably, but they’re not the same. A stomach bug or stomach flu is a sickness caused by a virus (the medical term for this condition is viral gastroenteritis). The virus causes an inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract (stomach and intestines). On the other hand, food poisoning occurs after eating contaminated food or spoiled food, caused by foodborne germs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), food poisoning affects some 48 million Americans each year, and it is more common than viral illnesses. 

Please continue reading to learn more about the telltale signs that can help you determine whether you’re dealing with a viral infection or food poisoning.

You should suspect food poisoning if the food looks, tastes, or smells bad. Germs that cause food spoilage often cause food to become slimy or mushy in appearance, develop unpleasant odors, and taste sour or “off. ”

How do you tell if you have a stomach bug or something else?

Food poisoning and viral gastroenteritis cause many of the same symptoms. Common food poisoning symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and diarrhea are also symptoms of stomach flu. So, the truth is that you may never know if you have a stomach virus or food poisoning. However, some clues can help you figure it out (more about this later). 

What are the obvious symptoms of having food poisoning?

The most common food poisoning symptoms include abdominal pain or cramping, diarrhea, and vomiting. Other symptoms of food poisoning can include thirst, headache, low-grade fever, chills, sweating, tiredness, and muscle aches. People with severe symptoms may notice bloody stools or vomit, severe abdominal cramps, and even fainting or loss of consciousness.

What are the symptoms of a stomach bug?

Viral gastroenteritis or stomach bug symptoms are similar symptoms to food poisoning. The symptoms typically include nausea, vomiting, watery diarrhea, and stomach cramps. You can also develop symptoms such as thirst, dry mouth, lightheadedness, tiredness, fever, muscle aches, joint pain, and urinating less than usual.

What is the difference between food poisoning and stomach bug?

Here are some of the critical differences between stomach flu and food poisoning.

Cause

• Viral gastroenteritis is caused by viruses such as norovirus, rotavirus, and other viruses.
   
• Food poisoning is caused by foodborne germs, including viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Some of the most common germs that cause foodborne illnesses in the U.S. are norovirus, salmonella, and Staphylococcus aureus (Staph).

Onset

• Symptoms of stomach flu develop 24-48 hours after exposure to the virus.
   
• Symptoms of food poisoning develop within a few hours (2-6 hours after eating contaminated food).

Diagnosis

• Doctors usually diagnose a stomach virus based on your symptoms. There is a rapid stool test that can detect norovirus and rotavirus, but it is not available at most health clinics.
• Food poisoning is diagnosed based on your history and symptoms. A stool test can help to identify bacterial or parasitic infections.

Treatment

• You can treat a stomach bug at home by replacing fluids and electrolytes to prevent dehydration and eating bland foods that are easy to digest (a BRAT diet is recommended – bananas, applesauce, rice, and toast). Some over-the-counter medicines can help to relieve your symptoms.
   
• Treatment for food poisoning also consists of replacing fluids and electrolytes to stay hydrated and eating easy-to-digest foods. In severe cases, doctors may prescribe antibiotics for certain types of food poisoning. 

Transmission

• Viral gastroenteritis is highly contagious, and it spreads via the vomit or feces of an infected person through personal contact. For example, if someone is sick and has not washed their hands thoroughly, they might have the virus on their hands and can transmit it to you when you shake hands. It can also spread through contaminated food and drink or contaminated objects.
   
• Food poisoning occurs when you eat contaminated food or drink contaminated water or beverages.

Prevention

• You can prevent viral gastroenteritis by washing your hands thoroughly if you’re sick or have been around someone who is sick. There is a vaccine available against rotavirus. 
   
• You can prevent food poisoning by keeping your food preparation equipment and surfaces clean, refrigerating perishable foods, eating fully cooked meats and eggs, and discarding foods that appear to be spoiled.

How do I know if it’s stomach flu or food poisoning?

Both conditions cause gastrointestinal distress. However, if you have a fever, headache, body aches, and projectile vomiting, you may have a stomach bug or viral gastroenteritis. If you have bloody diarrhea, it could be food poisoning.

The circumstances surrounding your illness can offer clues. If you develop symptoms within a few hours of eating food that may have been spoiled or contaminated, you likely have food poisoning. 

If a family member or friend ate the same food and became sick, that’s another clue that points to food poisoning.

If you have eaten foods that are easily contaminated or spoiled, such as salad greens, undercooked eggs or meat, seafood, raw milk, or dairy products just before your symptoms worsen, it could be food poisoning. 

On the other hand, if you have been around someone who has a similar illness, it could be viral gastroenteritis. For example, if your child is sick and there’s a stomach bug going around your child’s school.

When to see a doctor?

Most people with a food-borne illness get better on their own in 2-5 days without medical treatment. You should see a doctor if:

• You have a high fever above 104F (40C).
• You’re not able to keep liquids down for more than 24 hours.
• You’ve been vomiting for more than 2 days.
• You have blood in your vomit or bowel movements.
• You have severe abdominal cramping or abdominal pain.
• Your symptoms have been going on for more than 7-10 days.
• You have signs of dehydration such as dry mouth, excessive thirst, dark yellow urine, less frequent urination, lightheadedness or dizziness, and severe weakness.

Keep in mind that while most forms of food poisoning aren’t serious, a type of food poisoning called botulism, which is caused by a bacterium called Clostridium botulinum, can be fatal. This bacterium produces toxins that affect the nervous system. Seek medical attention immediately if you have botulism symptoms such as blurred vision, double vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, or other neuromuscular symptoms.

References

1. https://www.ucihealth.org/blog/2016/01/stomach-flu-or-food-poisoning
2. https://ask. usda.gov/s/article/What-are-the-signs-of-food-spoilage#
3. https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/foodborne-germs.html
4. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/viral-gastroenteritis/symptoms-causes

Symptom Checker with Body from WebMD

NEW: This symptom checker now includes the ability to select symptoms by body location. We hope this makes it easier for you to identify your symptoms and possible conditions.

The tool also allows you to select multiple symptoms quickly. Click to see FAQs and tips for searching

1) How many body sections are there?

• There are 11 primary body regions and 41 sub-regions from which you can choose. For example, the arm is a primary region, and your elbow is a more specific sub-region. The ability to choose sub-regions allows you to more precisely specify your symptoms.

2) What should I do if I’m not sure which body area to choose?

• Since all symptoms in a sub-region (example “elbow”) are also listed in the primary body region (example “arm”), it is best to start with the primary body region if you are unsure exactly where the symptom is on your body.

3) What if my symptom isn’t associated with a specific body location (for example, “chills”)?

• If you are not sure what body area your symptom falls under, you can type your symptom in the main search box or select the “General Symptoms” category.

• There is also a separate section for skin symptoms only.

4) What if I don’t see my symptom on the list?

• When a body location is selected, the “most common symptoms” are displayed first, but you can also switch tabs to see “All” symptoms.

• You can also use the category-specific search box to search for all symptoms in that category.

• The search box on the main page includes ALL symptoms in all categories.

5) What if I can’t find my condition or my medication on the “Questions” page?

•If your condition or medication is not displayed in the type-ahead list, we don’t have enough information about it to factor it into the results. If you don’t see it, skip that field.

• All questions are optional, you can always skip directly to results.

6) Are there any other tips for using this symptom checker?

• If you need to go back to a previous page, please use the “back” or “previous” buttons within the tool. Do not use the back button on your browser or phone. You could lose the symptoms you entered.

• Results are ordered by how closely your symptoms match a condition AND how common it is (in the United States). Extremely rare conditions may not surface in this tool. You should always consult a doctor for specific concerns.

• We strongly suggest entering more than 1 symptom. It will likely improve your results.

This tool does not provide medical advice It is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on the WebMD Site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911.

Cold sweat – causes of the disease, which doctor treats, diagnosis, prevention and treatment

Description

Cold sweat is sweat that is released from the sweat glands and cools the skin, causing a feeling of cold. Sweat is usually warm, as it is produced to regulate body temperature, but sometimes cold sweat can occur due to various diseases or conditions.

Cold sweat can have different characteristics depending on its cause. For example, with a general cooling of the body, sweat can be cold and accompanied by trembling, and with severe emotional stress or a panic attack, sweat can be cold and clammy.

Cold sweat can be a symptom of various diseases or conditions such as cardiovascular disease, acute infections, allergic reactions, autoimmune diseases, endocrine disorders, and others. In this case, cold sweat may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as weakness, pale skin, loss of consciousness, chest pain, difficulty breathing, and others.

If you have cold sweats, see your doctor to assess the condition and determine the cause. In some cases, additional testing and treatment may be required.

Why cold sweat is dangerous

Cold sweat is not dangerous in itself, but is a symptom of various diseases and conditions that can be dangerous to health. Therefore, if you have a cold sweat, especially in combination with other symptoms, you need to see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

Some of the diseases and conditions that can cause cold sweats and be hazardous to health include:

• Acute coronary syndrome such as acute myocardial infarction
• Acute infection such as sepsis
• Allergic reaction such as anaphylaxis
• Shock due to blood loss, anaphylaxis, infection or other cause
• Endocrine disorders such as hypoglycemia or adrenal insufficiency
• Circulatory disorders such as acute cerebrovascular accident or thromboembolism
• Oncological diseases such as lung or bladder cancer

In addition, cold sweats may be accompanied by other symptoms that may indicate a serious condition, such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, panic, and others. Therefore, it is important to seek medical attention if you have a cold sweat in combination with other symptoms.

Physiological causes of cold sweat

Cold sweat is a response to various physiological factors that affect the functioning of the body. Here are some physiological reasons that can cause cold sweat:

• Severe physical or emotional stress: during intense physical exercise or during periods of severe emotional stress, cold sweat may be released.
• Elevated ambient temperature: At high ambient temperatures or in the sauna, sweating may occur, which cools the skin.
• Acute food reaction: An acute allergic reaction to food may produce cold sweats accompanied by other symptoms such as itching, hives and swelling.
• Sudden changes in blood glucose levels: when blood glucose levels are severely low (hypoglycemia), sweating may occur, which is accompanied by a cold sweat.
• Taking certain medications: Some medications, such as analgesics and antidepressants, can cause sweating, including cold sweats.

Physiological cold sweats are usually not a health hazard and resolve quickly when the cause is removed. However, if you have cold sweats in combination with other symptoms such as weakness, chest pain, or difficulty breathing, you should see your doctor for an evaluation.

Pathological causes of cold sweat

Cold sweat can also be caused by various pathological conditions, such as diseases of the cardiovascular system, infections, allergies, certain endocrine disorders, and others. Some of the pathological causes of cold sweat include:

• Acute coronary syndrome such as acute myocardial infarction
• Shock due to various causes, including blood loss, trauma or anaphylaxis
• Acute cerebrovascular accident
• Acute infection such as sepsis
• Oncological diseases such as lung or bladder cancer
• Allergic reaction such as anaphylaxis
• Endocrine disorders such as hypoglycemia or adrenal insufficiency
• Certain autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus or scleroderma

If you have a cold sweat that lasts for a long time or is accompanied by other symptoms, you should see a doctor to diagnose and treat the underlying disease.

Accompanying symptoms

Cold sweat may be accompanied by various symptoms, depending on the underlying cause. Some of the more common symptoms that may accompany cold sweats include:

• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Severe weakness
• Dizziness or loss of consciousness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Increased heart rate or arrhythmia
• Cold extremities, redness or pallor of the skin
• High body temperature or fever
• Severe cough or nasal congestion
• Abdominal pain or diarrhea
• Panic attacks or anxiety

If you have cold sweats in combination with other symptoms, you should see a doctor to diagnose and treat the underlying condition. Some of the symptoms, such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, or high body temperature, may indicate a serious condition, so in such cases, immediate medical attention is needed.

What are the scenarios

The scenarios for cold sweat depend on the cause that caused it and the presence of other symptoms. Some of the possible scenarios that can occur with cold sweats include:

• Improvement: If the cold sweat is caused by physiological factors, such as intense exercise or severe emotional stress, then the condition usually improves after the cause disappears.
• Deterioration: If the cold sweat is caused by a serious illness or condition, such as acute coronary syndrome or infection, the condition may worsen over time and require urgent medical attention.
• Development of other symptoms: In some cases, cold sweat may be accompanied by other symptoms such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, dizziness or loss of consciousness. In such cases, urgent medical attention may be required.
• Asymptomatic: If cold sweat is temporary and caused by physiological factors, it usually resolves without any other symptoms and does not pose a health risk.

If you have cold sweats, especially in combination with other symptoms, you should see a doctor to diagnose and treat the underlying condition. Seeing your doctor early can help prevent possible complications and improve your prognosis.

What diseases cause cold sweat

Cold sweat can be a symptom of various diseases, which include:

• Acute coronary syndrome such as acute myocardial infarction
• Shock due to various causes, including blood loss, trauma, or anaphylaxis
• Acute cerebrovascular accident
• Acute infection such as sepsis
• Oncological diseases such as lung or bladder cancer
• Allergic reaction such as anaphylaxis
• Endocrine disorders such as hypoglycemia or adrenal insufficiency
• Certain autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus or scleroderma

However, cold sweats can also be caused by milder causes such as physical and emotional stress, increased ambient temperature, or certain medications.

If you have cold sweats, you should see a doctor to diagnose and treat the underlying condition. Seeing your doctor early can help prevent possible complications and improve your prognosis.

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Borisov Evgeny Nikolaevich

Experience 9 years

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What examinations to undergo

If you have cold sweat, you need to see a doctor to diagnose and treat the underlying disease. Diagnosis may include the following examinations:

• Complete blood count: to assess the level of hemoglobin, leukocytes and other blood parameters.
• Biochemical blood test: to assess the level of glucose, electrolytes, urea and creatinine.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG): to evaluate the work of the heart and detect abnormal heart rhythms or myocardial ischemia.
• Chest x-ray: to detect diseases of the lungs and heart.
• Ultrasound of the heart: to assess the work of the heart and detect blood flow disorders.
• CT or MRI of the brain: to detect cerebrovascular disease or other disorders.
• Allergy tests: to detect allergic reactions to certain substances or foods.
• Additional examinations, including gastroscopy, colonoscopy, abdominal ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and others, may be prescribed depending on the symptoms and the proposed diagnosis.

Examinations are ordered by a doctor and depend on the symptoms, the suspected diagnosis and the source of the cold sweat. It is important to see a doctor as soon as possible to start treatment and prevent possible complications.

How to remove it

The removal of cold sweat depends on the cause of its occurrence. If cold sweat is caused by physiological factors, such as intense physical exercise or severe emotional stress, then it can be removed in the following ways:

• Move to a cool room and remove excess clothing.
• Reduce physical or emotional stress.
• Drink cool liquids to reduce sweating.
• Shower or bath with cool water.

However, if the cold sweat is caused by a serious illness or condition, then a doctor should be consulted to diagnose and treat the underlying condition. In such cases, the removal of cold sweat may require special treatment, which may include medications, procedures, or surgery.

In any case, if you have a cold sweat, you need to see a doctor to diagnose and treat the underlying disease.

Which doctor to contact

If you have a cold sweat, it is recommended to contact your family doctor (general practitioner) in the first place. He will conduct an examination, collect an anamnesis, find out the presence of other symptoms and prescribe the necessary examinations to identify the cause of cold sweat. Depending on the results of the examinations, the doctor may prescribe treatment on his own or refer you for a consultation with a specialist, if necessary.

If the cold sweat is caused by a cardiovascular disease, a cardiologist may be required. If the cause is an allergic reaction, then you should consult an allergist. In some cases, such as cancer, it may be necessary to consult an oncologist.

If you have cold sweats in combination with other symptoms such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, dizziness or loss of consciousness, seek immediate medical attention. In such cases, you should call an ambulance or visit the nearest emergency room.

There are contraindications. Specialist consultation is required.

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The doctor explained which sweat indicates a health hazard

https://ria. ru/20210429/pot-1730409670.html

The doctor explained what kind of sweat indicates health hazard

The doctor explained which sweat indicates a health hazard – RIA Novosti, 04/29/2021

The doctor explained which sweat indicates a health hazard a therapist told a conversation with Zvezda … RIA Novosti, 04/29/2021

2021-04-29T03:08

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health

lyudmila lapa

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MOSCOW, Apr 29 – RIA Novosti. Cold sweat combined with fever indicates the need to see a doctor, the therapist Lyudmila Lapa spoke about this in an interview with Zvezda. According to the physician, sweating can mean two things: intoxication or internal overheating. At the same time, sweat can be cold or hot, and each of these states means something different. “When the sweat is cold, you must definitely pay attention to the lungs, because it can be an inflammatory process or an exacerbation of some kind of chronic. You must immediately measure temperature and call a doctor, if any. This is a bad indicator,” Lapa warned. At the same time, the release of a large amount of cold sweat indicates hyperhidrosis, which indicates the active stage of a viral attack on the body, the specialist noted. In this case, you should also consult a doctor about further actions. “In general, this is a disease, of course, of the endocrine system, you need to pay attention to it. If the slightest tachycardia is disturbing, everyone goes to a cardiologist, and this is still more of an endocrinological problem. In fact In fact, this is a serious reason to see a doctor,” the physician concluded.

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