How do you know if you have the flu?

I think i have the stomach flu. how do i know i have it though?

• I went to the doctors today to get these weird stomach pains and headaches solved. Now whenever i eat i feel nauseous.

• Answer:

  Rachel, good question, but no easy answer is likely. Flu is really a virus that affects the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. What you have is likely another bug that's a stomach virus. Doctors never try to make an exact lab diagnosis of a stomach virus because the time and cost of a virus culture is much too expensive unless it happens to a lot of people in one location, like at a party or on a ship cruise. The doctor makes a best guess based on what s/he sees and finds on examination and history. Fortunately stomach viruses commonly pass in a couple of days after the stomach pains and any headaches. Best wishes for a speedy recovery. Meanwhile try eating gentle food like jello, apple juice, and clear soup, but no spices.