Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

How Do You Tell The Difference?

hannahsue01

By hannahsue01
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

hannahsue01 Enthusiast
hannahsue01
Posted

How do you tell the difference between having the flu or being glutened. Both my daughter and myself may have been glutened at two different times. Both of us had a chance for cross contamination. I am more convinced that my daughters was from being glutened because she ended up with mouth sores and a couple of itchy blisters on her face. Myself I am unsure as I didn't get either of those symptoms. Niether one of us ran a temp of any kind. Niether one of us would throw up from consuming gluten before going gluten free and have been gluten free for a couple of months now.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted

I would think that a presence of a fever would indicate the flu.

But you have to remember, that often after being gluten free for some time, you react totally different to a gluten exposure.

The blisters would certainly indicate a gluten exposure.

I don't know if this was a help and I know that everyone reacts differently. I have been gluten free for almost a year and a half and my gluten reactions vary quite a bit.

Lisa

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

I have to agree with the other poster. If you have a virus or an infection of some kind it usually will cause a fever. Glutening symptoms can change after you have been gluten-free for a while. Many of us will be able to identify ways that are obviously only gluten related, like you daughters blisters. For me I also get skin problems and gluten will cause a distinct and short lived but intense depression and irritability. Eventually you will get to know the 'signs' that are specific for you.

Nancym Enthusiast
Nancym
Posted

Do a google search on norovirus or stomach flu and see if the symptoms match. I just had it a few months ago myself, I didn't have a fever but had headache, vomiting, and a general feeling of malaise. I was around someone that had just had it too, and it is frightfully contagious, so I was sure that was it. Plus, my symptoms of gluten aren't that bad.

lovegrov Collaborator
lovegrov
Posted

The "stomach flu," which isn't actually influenza, sometimes includes a slight fever but often doesn't. I know some people throw up after ingesting gluten, but I'd say the percentage is very tiny. It is not a common symptom of gluten ingestion.

The "real" flu always includes a fever, body aches, and respiratory symptoms but not vomiting.

richard

GlutenWrangler Contributor
GlutenWrangler
Posted

While the symptoms may be similar, it is true that if you had the flu you would most likely have a fever. Reactions to gluten change after going gluten-free. Before going gluten-free, your body is used to taking in a toxin every day. It knows that it will keep coming. When you go gluten-free, your body adapts to a toxin free diet, and vigorously reacts when gluten is re-introduced. This could account for the vomiting. The flu entails: high fever, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting (especially in children) chills, sweating, headache and muscle aches. Generally, when you have the flu, you know it. I hope you feel better.

-Brian

hannahsue01 Enthusiast
hannahsue01
Posted
  • Author

Thanks for your replys. Makes sense about the toxin thing. My grandma throws up now when getting glutened. We didn't have a fever, chills, sweating, or muscle aches. Just a headache, knee ache, vomiting, then I got direah a few days later along with itchy bumbs under my chin and my daughter had slept for an entire day a few days after (wich if it was the flu I would have thought she would have slept more while she was vomiting rather than a few days after) and had mouth sores and the same itchy bumbs on her face.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Carriefaith Enthusiast
Carriefaith
Posted

Some of the symptoms are similar between stomach flu and getting glutened. I can tell when I am glutened because I usually get a rash. I also get depressed and irritable.

VegasCeliacBuckeye Collaborator
VegasCeliacBuckeye
Posted

Just to add, I also do not vomit when I am glutened.

I do vomit when I have the stomach flu...

When I am glutened, I usually know it because I have eaten soemthing "questionable", I get a rash (dH), and the stomach cramping is more "pronounced". Not sure how to explain it, but the cramping usually lasts for 3- 12 hours with frequeent trips to the Lou.

Stomach flu is way different. I throw up constantly for a day or two. Then it comes out the other end for a day or two.

It feels much different.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. ShariW
      - ShariW commented on Scott Adams's article in Frequently Asked Questions About Celiac Disease
      4

      What are Celiac Disease Symptoms?

      In addition to gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea, I had gastroesophageal reflux that was becoming intolerable despite treatment with PPIs and antacids. When I went gluten-free, the GERD lessened tremendously (as did the other symptoms).
    2. klmgarland
      - klmgarland replied to klmgarland's topic in Dermatitis Herpetiformis
      2

      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      Thank you so very much Scott. Just having someone understand my situation is so very helpful. If I have one more family member ask me how my little itchy skin thing is going and can't you just take a pill and it will go away and just a little bit of gluten can't hurt you!!!! I think I will scream!!
    3. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to klmgarland's topic in Dermatitis Herpetiformis
      2

      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      It is difficult to do the detective work of tracking down hidden sources of cross-contamination. The scenarios you described—the kiss, the dish towel, the toaster, the grandbaby's fingers—are all classic ways those with dermatitis herpetiformis might get glutened, and it's a brutal learning curve that the medical world rarely prepares you for. It is difficult to ...
    4. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Jmartes71's topic in Coping with Celiac Disease
      1

      My only proof

      It's very frustrating to be dismissed by medical professionals, especially when you are the one living with the reality of your condition every day. Having to be your own advocate and "fight" for a doctor who will listen is an exhausting burden that no one should have to carry. While that 1998 brochure is a crucial piece of your personal history, it's infuriating...
    5. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Colleen H's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      1

      Methylprednisone treatment for inflammation?

      Methylprednisolone is sometimes prescribed for significant inflammation of the stomach and intestines, particularly for conditions like Crohn's disease, certain types of severe colitis, or autoimmune-related gastrointestinal inflammation. As a corticosteroid, it works by powerfully and quickly suppressing the immune system's inflammatory response. For many...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,908
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    ebrown
    Newest Member
    ebrown
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • klmgarland
      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      By klmgarland · Posted

      Thank you so very much Scott.  Just having someone understand my situation is so very helpful.  If I have one more family member ask me how my little itchy skin thing is going and can't you just take a pill and it will go away and just a little bit of gluten can't hurt you!!!! I think I will scream!!
    • Scott Adams
      Help I’m cross contaminating myself,

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      It is difficult to do the detective work of tracking down hidden sources of cross-contamination. The scenarios you described—the kiss, the dish towel, the toaster, the grandbaby's fingers—are all classic ways those with dermatitis herpetiformis might get glutened, and it's a brutal learning curve that the medical world rarely prepares you for. It is difficult to have to deal with such hyper-vigilance. The fact that you have made your entire home environment, from makeup to cleaners, gluten-free is a big achievement, but it's clear the external world and shared spaces remain a minefield. Considering Dapsone is a logical and often necessary step for many with DH to break the cycle of itching and allow the skin to heal while you continue your detective work; it is a powerful tool to give you back your quality of life and sleep. You are not failing; you are fighting an incredibly steep battle. For a more specific direction, connecting with a dedicated celiac support group (online or locally) can be invaluable, as members exchange the most current, real-world tips for avoiding cross-contamination that you simply won't find in a pamphlet. You have already done the hardest part by getting a correct diagnosis. Now, the community can help you navigate the rest. If you have DH you will likely also want to avoid iodine, which is common in seafoods and dairy products, as it can exacerbate symptoms in some people. This article may also be helpful as it offers various ways to relieve the itch:  
    • Scott Adams
      My only proof

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      It's very frustrating to be dismissed by medical professionals, especially when you are the one living with the reality of your condition every day. Having to be your own advocate and "fight" for a doctor who will listen is an exhausting burden that no one should have to carry. While that 1998 brochure is a crucial piece of your personal history, it's infuriating that the medical system often requires more contemporary, formal documentation to take a condition seriously. It's a common and deeply unfair situation for those who were diagnosed decades ago, before current record-keeping and testing were standard. You are not alone in this struggle.
    • Scott Adams
      Methylprednisone treatment for inflammation?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Methylprednisolone is sometimes prescribed for significant inflammation of the stomach and intestines, particularly for conditions like Crohn's disease, certain types of severe colitis, or autoimmune-related gastrointestinal inflammation. As a corticosteroid, it works by powerfully and quickly suppressing the immune system's inflammatory response. For many people, it can be very effective at reducing inflammation and providing rapid relief from symptoms like pain, diarrhea, and bleeding, often serving as a short-term "rescue" treatment to bring a severe flare under control. However, experiences can vary, and its effectiveness depends heavily on the specific cause of the inflammation. It's also important to be aware that while it can work well, it comes with potential side effects, especially with longer-term use, so it's typically used for the shortest duration possible under close medical supervision. It's always best to discuss the potential benefits and risks specific to your situation with your gastroenterologist.
    • Scott Adams
      I think I am gluten intolerant

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Based on what you've described, it is absolutely possible you are dealing with non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS).  Approximately 10x more people have non-celiac gluten sensitivity than have celiac disease, but there isn’t yet a test for NCGS. If your symptoms go away on a gluten-free diet it would likely signal NCGS.   Your situation is a classic presentation: a negative celiac panel but a clear, recurring pattern of symptoms triggered by gluten. The symptoms you listed—particularly the extreme fatigue, bloating, neurological-psychiatric symptoms like depression and anxiety, and even the skin manifestations like facial flushing—are all well-documented in research on NCGS. It's important to know that you are not alone in experiencing this specific combination of physical and emotional reactions. The only way to know for sure is to commit to a strict, 100% gluten-free diet under the guidance of a doctor or dietitian for a period of several weeks to see if your symptoms significantly improve. It is also crucial to rule out other potential causes, so discussing these symptoms with a gastroenterologist is a very important next step.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.