Stomach Flu vs Gall Bladder Attack: Difference and Comparison

Stomach flu and Gall Bladder attack are two very different health-related diseases. Both diseases happen in different parts of our bodies.

Though Gall Bladder is just at the upper right of our abdomen, and a gallbladder attack can immense pain in the stomach area. Therefore, the two diseases look the same but are very different.

Key Takeaways

1. Stomach flu, also called viral gastroenteritis, is an infection caused by a virus that affects the digestive system.
2. A gallbladder attack is a condition with inflammation or blockage of the gallbladder, caused by gallstones.
3. A virus causes stomach flu, while gallstones cause gallbladder attacks.

Stomach Flu vs GallBladder Attack

Stomach flu is a medical condition caused by a viral infection that affects the digestive system. Its symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, and fever. Gallbladder attack is caused by problems with the gallbladder. Gallbladder attacks are triggered by gallstones.

Stomach flu is an infection that happens in the intestine. Mostly it spreads when you get in contact with an infected person or if you have eaten or drank anything which is contaminated.

Its symptoms are stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and low fever.

Gall Bladder attack happens due to gallstones. These stones are like tiny pebbles made from proteins, fats, or minerals.

The attack in the gall bladder happens when these gallstones block the bile duct. This blockage leads to swelling, which triggers severe pain. The pain stops when these gallstones flow out.

Comparison Table

Parameters of Comparison	Stomach Flu	Gall Bladder Attack
Happens in	It happens in the stomach (the intestines) part of our body.	It happens in the Gall Bladder, which is a small pouch under the liver.
Cause	Contaminated water or food. It can also occur if you get in contact with an infected person.	Gallstones which forms from minerals, fats, or proteins.
Symptoms	Pain in the lower part of the abdomen, vomiting, fever, and dehydration.	Pain in the upper right portion of the abdomen, nausea, and heartburn.
Medical attention	The stomach flu is self-treatable in the starting 48 hours.	Needs immediate medical attention.
Treatment	Rehydration (By fluids like ORS) and rest.	Tablets and surgery under the doctor’s supervision.

What is Stomach Flu?

Stomach flu is also known as gastroenteritis. It occurs in the stomach, specifically the inner lining of the stomach and the intestines.

It happens due to contaminated food or water, which means a lack of hygiene. It can also happen if you get in contact with an infected person. That means the disease spreads easily and is contagious.

The main symptoms are stomach ache, inflammation or irritation in the stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, low fever, and headache.

Stomach flu can be treated at home by keeping the person hydrated by giving more fluids, antibiotics, and rest. It will resolve within a few hours or 1-2 days.

Though if it worsens after 48 hours, medical attention is required.

Also, if the patient shows symptoms like high fever, severe dehydration, no passing of urine, and blood in vomiting, the patient should be rushed to the hospital immediately and shouldn’t wait for 48 hours.

The treatment would then be done according to the severity of the disease.

To avoid stomach flu, wash your hands properly before eating, eat healthy food, avoid cooking in dirty vessels, and avoid uncovered street food.

Pregnant women, infants, and older people are more likely to get stomach flu.

What is Gall Bladder Attack?

Gall Bladder attack occurs in the gallbladder organ of our body. It is a small pouch on the right side of the body under the liver, producing bile.

Bile is a fluid that helps in the digestion of fatty acids. This bile flows in the intestines through the bile duct.

This bile duct gets blocked when the gall stones are formed from proteins or minerals. And the flow of bile stops, which causes discomfort. Gall bladder stops working properly and this causes the attack.

The patient will experience immense pain in the upper right part of the abdomen as well as in the chest on the right side. The pain can be constant or in waves.

This attack will also cause heartburn, nausea, and vomiting, and the patient would also not be able to eat.

The patient needs immediate medical attention. If the attack is severe, the person would need surgery in which the gall bladder will be removed to remove the gallstones.

People who have experienced gallbladder attacks should maintain their diet in order to not have another attack.

Their meal should include fresh fruits and vegetables more than grains. And should drink water more often.

Main Differences Between Stomach Flu And Gall Bladder Attack

1. Stomach flu happens in the intestines of our stomach. While gallbladder attack happens in the gallbladder organ of our body, as the name suggests.
2. When infected with Stomach flu, a person will have pain in the lower abdomen. When infected with gallbladder attacks, the pains occur in the upper right portion of the stomach along with the right side of the chest.
3. The stomach flu happens due to contaminated water or food. Gallbladder attack happens due to gallstones.
4. Stomach flu is infectious, and an infected person can infect other persons as well. This doesn’t happen with a Gall bladder attack.
5. Stomach flu can be treated at home, while the patient had to be hospitalized for a gall bladder attack.

References

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1521691806000552