How can I tell if I have food poisoning or the flu?

Food poisoning and the flu share a few symptoms, but are otherwise very different. Common symptoms of food poisoning include:

• stomach pain or nausea
• vomiting and/or diarrhea
• fatigue
• loss of appetite

The main symptoms of flu, on the other hand, are:

• muscle aches
• fever
• cough
• sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose
• headache

Children sometimes have nausea or vomiting when they come down with the seasonal flu. However, it's incorrect to use the term "stomach flu" for viruses that can cause stomach pain and symptoms like diarrhea.

It's not always easy to tell the difference between a case of food poisoning and the flu. Both commonly cause headaches, fever and fatigue. But there are also some key differences in symptoms:

• Nausea, diarrhea and gastrointestinal problems -- All three symptoms are common with food poisoning, but are rarely prominent with the flu.

• Cough, nasal congestion, sore throat and stuffy nose -- These symptoms are common with the flu, but rarely associated with foodborne illness.