Common Confusion: Influenza vs. Stomach Flu

[Lorah]

I thought I would through this out here since I have heard a number of people saying lately, "I don't want this (stomach) flu that is going around, I better get my flu shot"...

It would apprear that many people don't realize that the flu shot only covers certain strains of the Influenza Virus, and NOT Viral Gastroenteritis (known commonly as the stomach flu).


Influenza & The Flu Shot

"The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses" (CDC 2007).
The flu typically involves symptoms of :
fever (usually high)
headache
extreme tiredness
dry cough
sore throat
runny or stuffy nose
muscle aches

The "flu shot" contains 3 strains "one influenza A (H3N2) virus, one influenza A (H1N1) virus, and one influenza B virus. The influenza virus strains in the vaccine are selected each year based on (surveillance-based) forecasts about what virus strains are most likely to cause illness in the coming season"(CDC 2007).

Here are some links to the CDC to find out more about Influenza and the flu shot:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/fluvaccine.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/flushot.htm


Viral Gastroenteritis
"Gastroenteritis means inflammation of the stomach and small and large intestines. Viral gastroenteritis is an infection caused by a variety of viruses that results in vomiting or diarrhea. It is often called the "stomach flu," although it is not caused by the influenza viruses [. . . ]Many different viruses can cause gastroenteritis, including rotaviruses, noroviruses, adenoviruses,type 40 or 41, sapoviruses, and astroviruses" (CDC 2006).

The symptoms are not the same as the Influenza virus either. "The main symptoms of viral gastroenteritis are watery diarrhea and vomiting. The affected person may also have headache, fever, and abdominal cramps ("stomach ache"). In general, the symptoms begin 1 to 2 days following infection with a virus that causes gastroenteritis and may last for 1 to 10 days, depending on which virus causes the illness" (CDC 2006).

There is a vaccine for one of the viruses that causes viral gastroenteritis, the Rotavirus. "A licensed rotavirus vaccine is available that protects against severe diarrhea from rotavirus infection in infants and young children" (CDC 2006). However, the virus that most of us have heard about is the Norovirus, and currently there is NOT a vaccine for it; but, "studies into a norovirus vaccine are underway" (CDC 2006).

Here is a link to the CDC on Viral Gastroenteritis (The Stomach Flu):
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/gastro/faq.htm

[lizirroja]

What I'm always confused by is the difference between a cold and a flu. Is it the same thing? If I have a bad cold, my DH will say, "wow, you have the flu." The first time I went to a doctor I was 20 yrs old for a required physical, so know nothing about this stuff.

[Lorah]

GREAT QUESTION!!!! No they are NOT the same...but are similar:

Influenza vs. Cold
"What is the difference between a cold and the flu?
The flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses but they are caused by different viruses. Because these two types of illnesses have similar flu-like symptoms, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. In general, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms such as fever, body aches, extreme tiredness, and dry cough are more common and intense. Colds are usually milder than the flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalizations.

How can you tell the difference between a cold and the flu?
Because colds and flu share many symptoms, it can be difficult (or even impossible) to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. Special tests that usually must be done within the first few days of illness can be carried out, when needed to tell if a person has the flu.

What are the symptoms of the flu versus the symptoms of a cold?
In general, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms such as fever, body aches, extreme tiredness, and dry cough are more common and intense. Colds are usually milder than the flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalizations" (CDC 2006).

[erin anne]

Thanks for the info Lorah...I never knew that the stomach flu was unaffected by the flu shot. I don't think Parker and I are going to get flu vac's this year. IDK, I'd hate for him to have ANOTHER vaccine...so I have mixed feelings about it. Not to mention at the moment we are sans insurance!:(
I'm very glad you and Maverick got over the bug, I :fingerscrossed that we don't get it.

[khanson]

Yep, based on the symptoms, Will is getting over the flu. He probably wouldn't have gotten it if he had gotten the flu shot a few weeks ago when I asked him to. Taylor and I did get shots so hopefully we're covered.

[Stacey]

I got the flu shot once (due to extreme pressure from my boss at the time). I came down with the worst flu of my life within a few days. Won't be doing that again!

[stephaniemsw]

I think I may have been the one who said I had the stomach flu and wanted to get a flu shot. Basically, what I was saying is that being sick with a baby sucks big time, so anything I can do to avoid getting *any* type of illness or flu I will do. This week has been like flashbacks to the worst part of my pregnancy only worse because I have a kid to take care of. Thanks for the info, Lorah (or Encyclopedia Lorah as you have been affectionately called :))

[khanson]

I got the flu shot once (due to extreme pressure from my boss at the time). I came down with the worst flu of my life within a few days. Won't be doing that again!

That sucks. I've gotten flu shots 3 times and that's never happened to me.

[Lorah]

I think I may have been the one who said I had the stomach flu and wanted to get a flu shot. Basically, what I was saying is that being sick with a baby sucks big time, so anything I can do to avoid getting *any* type of illness or flu I will do. This week has been like flashbacks to the worst part of my pregnancy only worse because I have a kid to take care of. Thanks for the info, Lorah (or Encyclopedia Lorah as you have been affectionately called :))

Ohh no, it was not you Stephanie....though I just read your email that said that in it a second ago.

It was my mom who just said that actually...after had heard a number of people in line at the store talking about it.

Hahahaha Encyclopedia Lorah! hahahah you crack me up! I'll take that as a compliment. :)