Are Stomach Flu And Food Poisoning The Same?

12. Diagnosis of Food Poisoning

Just like in stomach flu, a typical practice is for a doctor to determine food poisoning based on the patient’s history and physical examination.  Once the history and physical examination indicate food poisoning or bacterial gastroenteritis, the doctor can order for further tests.  A typical test to be ordered by a doctor would be a stool exam.  In this case, a sample of the patient’s fecal matter (stool) will be tested in a laboratory.  Based on this test, a doctor is able to determine the type of bacteria (or parasite) that is causing the food poisoning (or parasitic infection).  With this information, a doctor can make a better, informed assessment of the most appropriate method of treatment.