What is the Difference Between Stomach Flu and Flu?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between stomach flu and the flu (influenza) lies in the affected areas of the body and the causes of the illnesses. Here are the key differences:
- Stomach Flu (Gastroenteritis): This is an infection of the stomach and intestines, typically caused by viruses such as norovirus, rotavirus, adenovirus, or astrovirus. It can also be caused by bacteria, parasites, food reactions, or unclean water. Symptoms include watery diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes fever. Stomach flu usually lasts for three to seven days and sometimes up to 10 days. Antibiotics are not effective in treating stomach flu caused by viruses.
- Influenza (Flu): This is an infection of the respiratory system, affecting the nose, throat, and lungs, and is caused by the Influenza virus. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, sore throat, cough, congestion, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea. Influenza can lead to more severe illnesses like pneumonia and can be prevented with a flu shot. Antibiotics can sometimes be used to treat complications from the flu, such as bacterial pneumonia.
In summary, stomach flu is an infection of the gastrointestinal system, while influenza is an infection of the respiratory system. They have different causes, symptoms, and treatments.
On this pageWhat is the Difference Between Stomach Flu and Flu? Comparative Table: Stomach Flu vs Flu
Comparative Table: Stomach Flu vs Flu
Stomach flu and influenza are two distinct conditions with different symptoms, causes, and treatments. Here is a table comparing the differences between the two:
Stomach Flu | Influenza |
---|---|
Infection of the stomach and intestines, typically due to viruses such as norovirus | Infection of the throat, nose, and sometimes lungs, caused by influenza A and B viruses |
Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever | Symptoms include sore throat, runny nose, body aches, coughing, and shortness of breath |
Does not cause respiratory symptoms | Causes respiratory symptoms |
Symptoms generally last a shorter duration | Symptoms typically last longer |
Spread through infected droplets, contaminated surfaces, or by touching an infected person | Spread through infected droplets from sneezing, coughing, or talking |
To prevent the spread of either illness, it is recommended to practice good hygiene, social distance, and avoid contact with infected individuals.
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- Flu A vs B
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- Cold vs Influenza
- Coronavirus vs Influenza
- Influenza A vs B
- Food Poisoning vs Stomach Bug
- Gastritis vs Gastroenteritis
- Gut vs Stomach
- Diarrhea vs Gastroenteritis
- Coronavirus vs Cold Symptoms
- Viral vs Bacterial Gastroenteritis
- Norovirus vs Gastroenteritis
- Pneumococcal Vaccine vs Flu Vaccine