2. Contagiousness: The Invisible Lines of Transmission
Let’s dig into something we often overlook: how you catch these stomach ailments in the first place. Food poisoning is typically not contagious. If you got it from a dodgy sushi place, there’s no risk of you passing it on to your roommate, unless, of course, they partook in the same risky meal. Stomach flu, however, loves company; it’s significantly more contagious, spreading quickly from person to person through shared surfaces, or even air.
Isolation becomes a factor here. With food poisoning, you’re only isolating yourself from the offending food. There’s no risk of a household outbreak, so your daily life isn’t impacted as severely. With stomach flu, it’s an entirely different ballgame. The need for isolation drastically increases, impacting not just you but those around you.
And here’s the kicker: even after your symptoms subside, you could still be contagious for a couple of days or even weeks. Stomach flu viruses like Norovirus continue to shed even after you feel better, leaving you in a state of limbo, unsure when you’re truly “safe” to be around others.(2)
