Food Poisoning is sometimes misdiagnosed as Stomach Flu

It has been reported that some patients have been misdiagnosed with Stomach Flu, when in fact the correct diagnosis in their specific case was Food Poisoning.

Food poisoning is an illness caused by eating contaminated food caused by a variety of bacteria, viruses and parasites. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, watery or bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramps, and fever. Food poisoning can be mistaken for gastroenteritis, excessive alcohol consumption and the side effects of certain medication. If not diagnosed correctly, food poisoning by a listeria infection can cause miscarriage in pregnant people or lead to long term neurological damage to the child. Food poisoning by E coli infection can lead to a hemolytic uremic syndrome which damages the vessels of the kidneys.

Always consult your doctor or health professional, and do not self diagnose.

Symptoms can include:

Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, mild fever, abdominal cramps, weakness, headache

Symptoms are a guideline only and may apply to either the diagnosis or the reported misdiagnosis, or both. Consult your specialist for further information.

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