What’s the difference between a cold and a stomach flu?
Many people use the terms “flu” and “stomach flu” to describe other illnesses that may in fact be a common cold or a mild case of food poisoning. There is no such thing as a stomach flu. A true case of influenza typically starts with a headache, chills and cough, and is followed rapidly by fever, loss of appetite, muscle aches, fatigue, runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes and throat irritation. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, which can occur in children, are uncommon in adults.
Most people recover within a week to 10 days. However, some people are at greater risk for more severe and longer-lasting complications such as pneumonia. The groups at greater risk include people over age 65, and people who already have medical conditions, such as chronic respiratory disease, heart or kidney disease, diabetes or a depressed immune system because of cancer or some other cause.