True or False: Is It the Stomach Flu or Food Poisoning?

By Liza Marinaro
High school student writer

According to Dr. Dean Edell, there is no such thing as the stomach flu. It's possible that a stomach upset may be due to a virus, but most are bacterial, usually from something eaten. Food-borne illnesses such as salmonella and shigella are very common throughout America, only two of the many bacteria that have this possible effect.

Also, the term "stomach flu" is technically incorrect. The word "flu" refers to influenza, a viral infection of the respiratory system (where and how you breathe). And of course, there is no respiratory system inside your stomach, so therefore it is impossible.

Remember that Snopes.com: Rumor has it is a great place to check things out that just sound bizarre.