8 Potential Side Effects of the Flu Shot You Might Not Know About, According to Doctors
The Difference Between Stomach Flu And Influenza
The stomach flu is an infection of the stomach or intestines, but influenza is an infection of the nose, throat, or lungs. Your symptoms can help you determine which one you have.
The flu and stomach flu are two distinctly different conditions. What we commonly refer to as the "flu" is an infection that affects your nose, throat, or lungs. The stomach flu involves an infection in your stomach or intestines.
These conditions carry different symptoms and require different treatments.
Read on to learn more about the key differences between influenza and stomach flu.
The stomach flu is another name for any type of stomach virus. While there are many different types of these viruses that can affect the stomach and intestines, two common ones include norovirus and rotavirus.
You may also experience a slight fever, headache, or other body aches. Symptoms of the stomach flu generally clear up in 1 to 3 days. However, you may still be contagious for a few days after that.
Influenza is a respiratory infection that typically affects the nose, throat, and lungs. It frequently spreads between people when someone coughs or sneezes.
Unlike the stomach flu, getting a yearly vaccination can help to reduce your chances of getting influenza.
Some people will experience vomiting or diarrhea with influenza. However, this is more rare and most likely to occur in children.
Both the stomach flu and influenza are caused by viruses. They're easily spread from person to person, and good hygiene is an important tool in preventing their spread.
While some symptoms like fevers and headaches may overlap, the stomach flu and influenza generally have different types of discomfort.
If you have influenza, you'll typically have difficulty breathing and smelling. On the other hand, gastrointestinal distress is a key symptom of the stomach flu.
Both influenza and the stomach flu are highly contagious and can be spread through contact with another person with the infection. They may also spread through contact with infected surfaces and foods.
If you're unsure about the cause of your symptoms, your doctor can perform tests to confirm a diagnosis. Since many people recover fairly quickly and do not need to go to the doctor, you may not be formally diagnosed with either condition.
Both the stomach flu and influenza are viral infections. This means antibiotics will not be effective in treating them. However, your doctor can prescribe antiviral medication if you have a high risk of complications.
During the recovery process, it's important to get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids. It's also a good idea to stay home so you don't spread the infection to anyone else.
In general, for both the stomach flu and influenza, it's important to treat any symptoms that may be causing you distress. This may involve over-the-counter medications. In some more serious cases, your doctor may recommend prescription medications to help with nausea or reduce coughing.
It's important to be mindful of spreading the stomach flu or influenza even after you begin to feel better as you may still be contagious. Extra focus on good hygiene even after your symptoms are diminishing can protect those around you.
While influenza is an infection of the nose, throat, or lungs, the stomach flu affects the stomach or intestines. When determining which condition you have, it's important to think about the symptoms you're experiencing.
If you're having severe symptoms or your symptoms persist for a prolonged period, it's a good idea to talk with your doctor about whether you have influenza or the stomach flu. Your doctor can also help you with a diagnosis if you're not sure what's wrong.
Doctors Are Seeing More Stomach Flu Cases In The Boston Area. Here's What To Look Out For
Stomach flu cases on the rise in the Boston area
Stomach flu cases on the rise in the Boston area 01:36BOSTON - In a new feature called At the Clinic with Dr. Mallika, she tells us about some of the trends she's been seeing her urgent care clinic.
This week, Dr. Mallika says she's been seeing a number of patients with the stomach flu. Symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhea, belly cramps, fatigue, muscle aches, and fever.
Symptoms usually resolve within a few days, but the biggest risk is dehydration. If you get a stomach bug, the best thing to do is rest your stomach by avoiding all solid foods, caffeine, alcohol, and dairy products, and instead take frequent sips of what we call "clear liquids", that is, liquids you can see through such as sports drinks, rehydration solutions, ginger ale, popsicles, Jello, and clear chicken broth.
Once your nausea has subsided and you're feeling hungry, don't go back to your regular diet. Instead, choose bland foods like crackers, toast, plain pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes for a few days. If you can't keep any fluids down, you're not peeing as much, you have severe belly pain, bleeding, or high fevers, get to an urgent care or emergency room.
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Mallika Marshall, MDIs It A Cold Or Flu? These Are The Most Common Symptoms
As colder months approach, differentiating between a cold and a flu can become challenging when symptoms seem similar.
Understanding the common symptoms of each illness can help you make an informed choice about treatment.
Here's what to know about cold and flu symptoms and when it's time for a doctor visit.
Cold symptomsColds, caused by viruses, generally lead to mild, short-lived symptoms that focus mainly on the nose, sinuses or throat, according to HealthLink B.C.
Common cold symptoms include runny nose and sneezing, red eyes, sore throat, cough, headaches and body aches.
According to B.C.'s health information service, if colds happen often for an individual or if symptoms last more than two weeks, the cause may be allergies or sinusitis rather than a cold.
Flu symptomsThe flu, or influenza, is a more severe respiratory illness than the common cold.
According to federal government's public health agency, symptoms include the sudden appearance of fever, cough, muscle aches and pain. Other common symptoms are chills, tiredness, headache, sore throat, loss of appetite and runny or stuffy nose.
The health agency also warns that some people, including children, may have diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.
Serious complications and outcomes of the flu are possible, including worsened chronic health conditions, heart complications, pneumonia and respiratory failure, hospitalization and death.
In some cases, flu symptoms overlap with respiratory illnesses like RSV and COVID-19, which share similar respiratory and general symptoms. For more detailed symptom comparisons, check government sources on RSV and COVID-19.
Flu shotsThe flu shot is the most effective way to prevent the flu and its spread, health officials say. Health Canada recommends that all individuals over six months of age get vaccinated annually, as flu viruses change every year, and the vaccine is updated to match circulating strains.
The flu vaccine does not protect against other illnesses like RSV and COVID-19, it said.
To find a flu shot clinic near you or for additional information of this year's fu vaccine visit Flu Clinics Across Canada.
Should I go to a doctor?While most cold and flu cases can be managed with rest, hydration and over-the-counter medications, certain cases warrant medical attention.
For children, if symptoms observed include the child not waking up or interacting with others, difficulty breathing, not drinking or eating as usual and/or an irritable mood, a doctor visit should be is the next step, Canada's public health agency said on its website.
High-risk individuals who develop symptoms should contact their health-care provider for advice as more serious complications including pneumonia and respiratory failure can occur, the health agency added.
When sick with the flu, the public health agency recommends individuals stay home and avoid contact with others.
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