Recognize Differences In Stomach Pain Due To Virus Or Food Toxics

Illustration of stomach pain (Shutterstock)

Stomach disorders can be caused by various factors, such as improper food processing to exposure to viruses that move through contaminated food or surface.

According to the Well and Good page, there are more than 250 types of food poisoning, with several common bacteria acting as the cause, such as Salmonella, E. coli, Lithuania, Staphylococcus, Campylobacter, and Shigella.

On the other hand, stomach disorders can also be caused by viral infections such as norovirus, which live in feces and vomit of infected people and can move through contaminated hands or surfaces.

Symptoms that often arise from food poisoning or viral infection include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, cramps, and sometimes fever.

According to gastroenterologist Dr. Elena Ivanina, the main difference between stomach disorders due to food poisoning and viral infection lies at the time of the emergence of symptoms. Food poisoning usually shows symptoms within hours of eating contaminated food, while viral infections, such as noroviruses, have a longer incubation period, usually between 24 and 48 hours.

Food poisoning generally lasts about 24 hours, but the duration can vary depending on the cause, especially if it is caused by longer-lasting parasites or if a person has a weak immune system.

Norovirus, which is highly contagious, can spread rapidly. To avoid spread, it is very important to limit contact with others, wash hands regularly, clean the surface that is often touched (especially in the bathroom), and avoid preparing food for others until symptoms disappear after 48 hours.

While most cases of food poisoning and stomach disorders will heal in a few days without needing special treatment, some simple steps at home could help speed up recovery.

This includes adequate rest, consuming electrolyte, water, or broth, and eating foods with a little fiber such as white rice, oatmeal, bananas, and chicken. It is better to avoid foods that contain a lot of sugar, fat, milk, or gluten that can worsen symptoms.

To prevent poisoning or stomach infection, Dr. Ivanina provides some tips, such as always washing hands after using the toilet before preparing meals, staying at home when feeling unwell, not eating raw milk, washing good fruit and vegetables before eating, keeping the refrigerator temperature low, cooking meat to perfect cooked, and washing knives after being used to cut raw food.