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Stomach Virus Vs. Flu

Viruses are organisms that prefer to infect one kind of cell or tissue depending on their type. Stomach viruses infect the lining of the stomach and intestines while influenza most often infects the respiratory tract. The flu causes respiratory symptoms like coughing or sore throat along with a fever. Unlike the flu, stomach viruses do not cause respiratory symptoms, yet they may cause a low grade fever. The flu virus does not cause the stomach flu. Laboratory tests are available to help the health care provider diagnose the disease and provide the best course of treatment.

  1. About Viruses

    • Viruses are small particles of genetic material (RNA or DNA) surrounded by either proteins or lipids (fats). They are not alive in the true sense of the word since they don't use up energy. However, they do multiply. In doing so, viruses invade and destroy the cells they use for reproduction. It is that destruction of cells along with the response from our immune systems that cause the symptoms of a viral infection.

    Stomach Viruses

    • Viruses have the tendency to only infect a specific group of cells. Hepatitis viruses only infect the liver, for example. Stomach viruses infect the cells lining the stomach and intestines, causing viral gastroenteritis. Viral gastroenteritis can be caused by several different viruses, including noroviruses, adenoviruses, astroviruses and rotaviruses.

    The Flu Virus

    • Unlike stomach viruses, the flu is caused by one virus (the influenza virus) that comes in three types (A, B or C). Types A and B are the most common types of influenza and the ones responsible for seasonal outbreaks of the disease. Flu viruses infect the respiratory tract and very rarely infect the intestinal tract. As a result, the flu virus does not cause the "stomach flu."

    Difference in Symptoms

    • While stomach viruses may cause a variety of gastrointestinal symptoms, like a low grade fever, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea and abdominal pain, they do not cause respiratory symptoms. Influenza, on the other hand, causes a high fever, muscle aches, chest congestion, coughing and sore throat. Very rarely will a flu virus cause gastrointestinal distress.

    Difference in Diagnosis

    • Aside from the symptoms, diagnosis of a viral infection can be done through laboratory tests which detect the presence of viruses or antibodies against them. In the case of stomach viruses, the specimen of choice is a fecal sample. Sometimes, in special circumstances, vomit will be tested for the presence of virus. In the case of influenza, the specimen of choice is a throat or nasal swab. For both kinds of infections, blood tests may be done to detect antibodies against specific viruses.

    Difference in Treatment

    • Health care providers are the ultimate authority on how to treat viral infections. In the case of stomach viruses, treating the symptoms of the infection until the body clears the virus is usually enough. In the case of the flu, where the infection can progress to a more serious pneumonia, there are antiviral medications available to kill the virus and keep it from spreading. In both cases, otherwise healthy individuals will almost always recover with no further complications. However, individuals with underlying medical conditions should seek care immediately to prevent complications.

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