Guess what...There are no real medical diseases called "Food Poisoning" or "stomach flu." There is no disease called "the 24 hour flu/" These are just common terms to describe a myriad of illnesses that all have very similar symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea, maybe with stomach pain, fever and body aches. This cluster of illnesses is sometimes called enteric diseases because they affect your intestines. They are also sometimes called foodborne diseases. They are not related to influenza, and the seasonal flu shot does not protect against these diseases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Myth 1--It had to be something I ate--Fact: Bacteria, viruses and parasites that are spread through food can be spread other ways too.
Myth 2--I know I got sick from the chicken because I started feeling sick right after I ate it. Fact: Many diseases spread through food strike days or weeks after you eat it.
Most of the time, the last thing you ate wasn't what made you sick. Many foodborne diseases don't start to produce the toxins that make you sick until after they are in your intestines. Then, it can take some time (days of weeks, sometimes) before enough of the toxin is built up to cause the symptoms.
Myth 3--I had a different disease than somone else I know who was sick because I was much more ill. Fact: Germs can affect people in different ways. The same bug can result in different illnesses in different people. Age can play a factor. The very young and the elderly, pregnant women, and people who have weak immune systems.
Myth 4--IT couldn't have been the mashed potatoes (or turkey or gravy) because everyone ate that but I was the only one who got sick. Fact: Sometimes only one person gets sick after eating a shared food item that was contaminated. Most of the time you can't tell what it was that made you sick. Remember---It might not have even been the food that made you sick. You might have gotten it some other way. Sometimes more than one person can eat the same contaminated food and only one person will get sick. Maybe the person who got sick was fighting off a different illness or was feeling stressed or tired, so his or her germ0fighting immune system wasn't up to par. Maybe the people who didn't get sick actually were sick with a bout or tow of diarrhea but didn't think to mention it. Or maybe there was a pocket of food that was more heavily contaminated, and the person who got sick drew the "unlucky" card.
Myth 5--I was the only one who ate the enchilada so it had to be that. Fact: Most of the time, you can't tell what it was that made you sick.
Bottom line: Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly, especially after using the restroom and before every meal. Cook food all the way, especially chicken, hamburger, eggs and other foods of animal origin. Do not consume raw milk or products made from raw milk. And...keep hot food hot and cold foods cold!! Stor foods immediately after the meal is finished, or within two hours.
