Hatrack River Forum: Flu or food poisoning?

This is topic Flu or food poisoning? in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by lem (Member # 6914) on :

Last night my family went to a crowded themed pizza place for kids--kinda like "Chucky Cheese." We braved uncharted territory and ordered fish.

Last night I couldn't sleep, had the chills and then hot flashes, and wanted to throw up so bad. My legs and arms are in significant pain.

My wife is 6 months pregnant. This morning she threw up; something she hasn't done for 3 months. She has bad chills and is exhausted.

What do these symptoms sound like to you? I still have chills, pain, and an upset stomach. We have a baby sitter. I am home from work. Think it is bad food or a possibility we picked up the flu from all the kids running everywhere?

Posted by The Pixiest (Member # 1863) on :

Doesn't flu have an incubation period?

Posted by Hobbes (Member # 433) on :

This has the makings of a great game show.

Hobbes [Smile]

Posted by maui babe (Member # 1894) on :

Flu is a respiratory illness with fever and body aches. Nausea/vomiting and diarrhea are not usually symptoms of flu in adults.

My experience in investigating food borne illness is that it's never the fish... unless you have ciguatera or scombroid (both very specific symptoms and not just run of the mill GI) it almost certainly wasn't the fish.

You say you "wanted to throw up so bad", which I take to mean you had nausea. Did you actually vomit? Have diarrhea? Any fever, or just chills?

If you called me at work and described your symptoms, I would not initiate a food complaint based on what you've told me here. It may very well have been food poisoning, but probably not the meal you're implicating. It may also be norovirus, either from a previous meal or some environmental exposure. The incubation period for norovirus (what many people call "stomach flu") is 36-48 hours and the duration of illness is about the same as the incubation period.

My recommendation would be to get as much rest as you can and push the fluids. Since your wife is pregnant, I'd recommend she consult with her OB by phone, especially if she has any complications of her pregnancy.

If your symptoms don't resolve within about 48 hours, or if you cannot keep any liquids down or have signs of dehydration, you should seek medical attention.