Does anyone know ......

[icemaiden]

the difference in symptoms of food poisoning and a stomach bug/virus?

Would symptoms be the same or would one be different from the other?

I only ask as the other half has been in bed for three days with extremely bad diarrhoea (watery) and feeling sick (not actually sick). Completely wiped him out. We all had chicken breasts the night before, myself and my daughter are ok so far but just wondering what it could be.

Thanks in advance

[daffy654]

The symptoms of the two are identical, to know for sure a faecal sample would need to be tested in a laboratory.

[icemaiden]

Thankyou daffy. I suspected that were the case, just wanted it confirmed.

[woofgang]

If only one of you got it, my inclination would be that it was nothing to do with the chicken unless your OH generally has a delicate tum. Either way practice extreme hygiene. If your OH gets worse or becomes unable to keep clear fluids down or does not improve over the next 24 hours then contact the doc.

[icemaiden]

Thanks Woofgang.

He is rarely ill so this is a bit of a shock for him. I've gone through so much bleach and hand sanatisers in the last few days just to be safe.

[ummmm]

I thought food poisoning lasted much longer than a general tummy bug.

[woofgang]

that depends on the severity of the food poisoning, the type of the tummy bug and the general health of the sufferer

[Sqad]

Food poisoning and "stomach bugs" are basically the same thing and the speed of onset of symptoms and length of time of morbidity differs with the infecting organism.

It is beyond a Q /A site to go into this in details, but as an example, a staphylococcal food poisoning can come on in 30 mins and last perhaps for 3 days.

If it doesnt settle, or indeed gets worse withinbthe next 24hours, he will need a stool sample for culture.

It should settle.

[icemaiden]

Thanks for your answers everyone.

I will keep a close eye on him in the next few days. :0)

[atalanta]

Even if he can keep nothing else down, he must try to take fluids. I have always found that my family ( if I have to nurse them ) and I can keep down a mixture of half milk, half tonic water. Refreshing to an invalid, and useful for restoring fluid levels.

[woofgang]

Lol I can't even think of milk and tonic water mixed without wanting to throw up!