I HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO NORWALK

[madisonsmom]

UGH! Please someone give me some advice or opinions. I started my new job andmy 2nd day on the floor what happens...the freaking norwalk virus starts going around. *the doctors think this is what it is*. Cultures are in the process of being done.


7 residents have 'loose' stools. This has happened in just 2 days. One resident had v* on Saturday with diarrhea. The rest have JUST had d* and thats it. I was basically just shadowing a nurse today. The GNA's do the diaper changing (Its basically a nursing home - lots of traumatic brain injuries, mental retardation, cerebral palsey etc. LOTS OF TUBE FEEDERS[img]smileys/smilies_11.gif[/img]UGH...for those of you who dont know where the tube goes...some are in the stomach and some in the beginning part of the intestine.


I wanted to leave so bad. I hate it there.


They are not positively sure but I am almost sure thats what it is. It has to be from lack of handwashing. NOW MY QUESTIONS!


Since the ones I was around had d* or loose stools only does that mean this type of virus produces only d*. 7 residents have the same symtoms. OR does it mean it all depends on how the virus affects me.


ok...the nurse I was with had to do a culture. So a GNA handed up a depends (adult diaper) with stool in it - it was in a bag. So we had to go in a room and scoop out3 specimans. I did not handle the stool but handed her the stool containers. She was reaching for them with a dirty glove...[img]smileys/smilies_11.gif[/img]. Yes there was visible stool on it. I did not touch the visible part. I did not know she was going to ask me to hand her stuff so I did not have gloves. I handled the CLEAN containers. I know this sounds silly but I could not catch it just being around a dirty adult diaper? I was not watery...it was actually very mushy.


I am not going to sit here and analyze the stool[img]smileys/smilies_04.gif[/img]but what do you think. Yes I washed my hands and use hand sanitizer and do not put my hands in my face. I was just around these people. In the same room. I did not come in contact with anything that I could visibly see. What worries me is that the GNA's are not as meticulous as I am. I know if I have it I have it...nothing I can do.


I came home and took my shoes off outside (there are still out there). I went straight to the bathroom and took a shower. I do feel cleaner.


But I guess I have to go through the waiting game...


On a good note...I applied at a Psychiatric Hospital and they called me today on my cell phone on my way home from work. I have an interview on Monday at 8:30 am. YAY! (IF I AM NOT SICK)

[madisonsmom]

Just want to add that I did not use the bathroom there and could not eat anything there. I was too disgusted.

[donna1216]

You are sooo not having a good week, I will pray for you and your family and I will pray for you to get the job you want!!

[madisonsmom]

I am HOPING I dont get sick. I took the precautions necessary but you just never know who is NOT taking precautions. I mean I cant wash my hands every minute. I just hope the GNA's were washing their hands. You never know where that germ lurks...I may have laid my hand on it. I did try to be careful so thats all I can do[img]smileys/smilies_12.gif[/img]


Its a waiting game!

[shiva]

I am so sorry you had such a bad time at work. I will keep my fingers crossed for the other job!!!

[sillygirl]

It sounds more like rotovirus to me. I would think if that many people had norwalk, more would v* I actually had a sv this winter that gave me really bad d* but I never even felt nauseous with it. The weird thing wasI had some sharp pains with it, so I went to the doctor and she did blood tests and told me it was a virus, but not which one. I am wondering now if it was rotovirus. It didn't last that long, and I didn't feel too bad - I stayed home from work, but went out with friends later that night. Your situation sounds similar to me.

[stella9]

It sounds to me like "something" but who knows what and that is why
they are doing a culture. It could be a virus or it could be
something else. Once the cultures come back you will know.
However, your wait period will be probably be over before the cultures
come back. It sounds like you took all of the best precautions to
keep you from getting whatever is going through this nursing
home. Nursing homes are forever notorious for gasto things going
around and most of the time it has to do with the lack of hygiene on
the caregivers part (not your because you are so hygiene conscious).



My heart goes out to you. I know this is awful. I hate "THE
WAIT." I even go through it when I don't who I came in contact
with because I know just being out in the population every day that
someone has exposed me. This morning I visited the school where
my friend is the school psychologist. Her office is smack dab
right next to the health suite where I saw a girl sitting. Later
that morning we see the janitor moping in a classroom where the entire
class was gone. My mind started wondering if the girl in the
health suite v*** in the classroom where the janitor was moping and now
am I exposed. I am in the wait. This is such a
disgusting problem - emet.



Stella

[donna1216]

I am thinking Norwalk is more "explosive"--projectile and unrelenting diarrhea and v'ing, so if the majority of the cases are diarrhea, you should not worry about it being Norwalk--especially if the sample you saw was more mushy than watery!!

[tink]

OhMy. I was afraid to even read this because of the title.
It sounds like it is probably not Norwalk so try to stay calm and let us know what they doctors say.

--Kim

[madisonsmom]

I did not see all of the stools. I just hope I did not get it.

[shiva]

haha! I was just thinking of what a non emet would think of some of our conversation. It's kinda humorous how we talk about poo and gas sooo much


I am sure you did not get it. You are going to be okay.

[jesskali]

Oh, that sounds really rough! I have a question--what does GNA stand for? I'm assuming it is some sort of nursing assistant. Here we call them CNA's--certified nursing assistant.

Have you ever considered applying for a job at a doctor's office? I worked at one for 2 years and you deal very little with *v* or *d*. Now I work at the health department and we see no sick patients here, except in the child health clinic. I interviewed for a psych unit job. I would loved to have worked there, but the hours sucked--11am-11pm. You would never be able to get anything done working those hours!

Good luck and give us an update!

Jess

[madisonsmom]

GNA stands for geriatric nursing assistant. They have a little more education than a CNA. You have to be a GNA to work in a skilled nursing facility here in Maryland.

[2jo2]

OMG, that sounds just awful. Aside from the sickness, I would imagine working in a place like that to be very depressing. [img]smileys/smilies_06.gif[/img]


But just from what all of us have known about Norwalk, it sure doesn't sound like it to me. I think Norwalk is v'ing and cramping. I'd rather just have d if anything anyways, but you were really hygenic so I would think you'll be in the clear. Let us know!


P.S. Good news about the other job interview!!!!Edited by: 2jo2

[madisonsmom]

I think is go either way...but I have to agree that I though you did have some v* with Norwalk. I dont even know how many episodes of d* some of these people had. I know I DO NOT WANT TO GO BACK...


its depressing and disgusting![img]smileys/smilies_06.gif[/img]

[donna1216]

I am so sorry. I know you must be just torn between going back and just trying to keep away from the germs!!! When will the culture results be back??? Hopefully it will be good news!

[madisonsmom]

I am not sure when the results will be back. Some of them may be back now. Ugh...I have actually felt ok until now. My stomach hurts a little. [img]smileys/smilies_06.gif[/img]


Its been about 36 hours and I am getting kind of nervous. OH NO!

[ontariogirl]

You are a strong healthy woman Debbie I really think that you will be fine. I will be on msn if you need to chat again.[img]smileys/smilies_01.gif[/img]

[madisonsmom]

Thanks Rhonda. I will be ok. I just dont have the energy to worry. If I getit Iwill just have to deal with it...wish I could control it but I cant!


I am just so tired of the worry. I worry constantly...especially about my kids. I worry more about them getting it. I dont want it...but I really dont want them to get it. I would rather get it first...get it out of the way so if they do get sick I will be able to take care of them without worrying about getting it.


Madison has been fussy today and I think its teething[img]smileys/smilies_12.gif[/img]. She has not been herself. SO...I hope she's ok!Edited by: madisonsmom

[ontariogirl]

You are welcome Debbie anytime! Worrying about it can make you exhausted!! I hear where you are coming from, I would be scared to. I feel so sorry for little ones when they are teething. Congratulations about the job interview!!![img]smileys/smilies_01.gif[/img]

[madisonsmom]

I am starting to feel bad[img]smileys/smilies_05.gif[/img]


I hope its just my nerves!

[swiftette]

Oh My God Maddison's mom I am so sorry you had to go threw all of that!!! Can you wear masks at work? I'm sure you can wear gloves, I think if it does'nt find a way in via eyes, nose, mouth, which it wo'nt as long asyou are careful,that you'll be ok. Otherwise there would never be nurses or doctors in certain seasons cause they'd always be sick. Knowledge is power and you know good hygeine so I am sooooo sure you will be ok. I hope to God you get that ohet job though, I'll pray for you!

[madisonsmom]

Thank you so much! I hope so too. We can wear masks...this was happening so fast that I did not realize that we had 7 cases until after lunch time.


I am going into the 48 hour mark. I feel nauseous though. This is not totally uncommon for me so I am hoping it passes. I think its because I know that I could get sick anytime. UGH! This is some AWFUL stuff (emet)