The Difference Between Stomach Flu And The Other Flu - Part 1

Do you know the difference between the flu and the stomach flu?

While “stomach flu” is a popular term, it is not a correct medical diagnosis. These are actually two different diagnosis caused by two different types of irritants. The correct term for the stomach flu is gastroenteritis. ‘Gastro’ meaning stomach, ‘enter’ relating to the intestines and ‘itis’ meaning inflammation.

People who are suffering from gastroenteritis, or the stomach flu, will have irritation or inflammation of the stomach and intestines, the gastrointestinal tract. Gastroenteritis can be caused by either virus, bacteria or a parasite and does not necessarily need to be caused by an infectious process. Triggers for gastroenteritis can include lactose intolerance or other allergic reactions to specific food types. (1,2)

On the other hand, the flu is caused by a virus known as influenza. The flu often mimics the same symptoms as a respiratory cold except that it begins much more quickly with symptoms of fatigue, fever and respiratory congestion. Individuals who suffer from an upper respiratory infection, also known as the common cold, may also suffer from a low grade fever; but individuals who are experiencing the flu will generally have a fever greater than 100° Fahrenheit. (3)

There are over 100 different types of viruses that can cause the common cold, yet only influenza virus types A, B and C will cause the flu. However, while there are only three different types of influenza that cause the flu, each of these types are capable of genetic mutation and developing different strains each year. The flu will also lead to more severe or life-threatening illnesses, such as pneumonia, in individuals who are immune suppressed or who have other underlying medical conditions which make their overall health precarious. Individuals who are older, young children, those suffering from AIDS, cancer or other milder chronic conditions such as diabetes or asthma, may suffer more severe affects from having the flu. (3)

Resources:

(1) Cleveland Clinic: Gastroenteritis

http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/gastroenteritis/hic_gastroenteritis.aspx

(2) Center for Disease Control and Prevention: Viral Gastroenteritis

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/gastro/faq.htm

(3) KidsHealth.org: What is the Flu?

http://kidshealth.org/kid/h1n1_center/flu-basics/flu.html

(4) MayoClinic.com: Dehydration

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dehydration/ds00561/dsection=symptoms