How is someone contagious?

[Sarah429]

So my boyfriend v* and had d* on Saturday morning and all day Satruday. Luckily I wasnt around him on that day! But anyways, his symptoms subsided by Sunday and he was able to come back to school by Monday. I see him at school everyday and I was just wondering how long I should obstain from kissing him and hugging him and stuff in order to ensure that I don't catch anything. I have heard that people can be contagious for up to like 2 weeks after they are sick, but I feel really bad avoiding him like this so I was just wondering how long I have to wait before it's safe and what sort of things (kissing, touching, walking with him, etc.) I should avoid. I'm pretty sure it was food poisoning from a salad he ate but still...I obviously want to be safe. Thanks for any advice!

[cdelcourt827]

When my husband had a stomach virus, I did not catch it from him. We live together (obviously.. because were married) and towards the end of the day that he had the stomach flu I did give him a hug and I slept in the bed with him (after washing and changing the sheets of course!!)
That said, I did not kiss him or share a drink of food with him for about 5 days after he was ill.

I'd say that you are definitely safe to hug him, walk with him and hold his hand for sure!! I would hold off on the kisses for about two or three more days... but that's just me!

He can carry the virus for up to two weeks in his feces... but as long as he washes his hands after using the bathroom, you should be fine!!

Hope this helps!

[Sarah429]

Thanks! So just to be clear, it's just the feces that still carry the germ in it right? That's what I've heard but I'm just making sure. So I'm safe to like breath the same air as him and touch his face and clothes and stuff? I've been supppppper paranoid haha. Like I have been walking with him and sitting next to him but I never get too close to his face and try to avoid touching him. I feel so bad!

[cdelcourt827]

Yea, at this point, it is just the feces. When a person is actually sick, the germs are also carried in the V*, and that is why you are told not to kiss somebody or share food with them etc. (because there could still be left over V* particles). You are probably safe to kiss him now even, but like I said, I would wait a few more days for that.

You are definitely safe to breath the same air as him, and sit next to him and even touch him. I don't know how old you are or anything.. and I am not suggesting anything to you.. but I did read online somewhere (after my Husband was ill last winter) that you can have sexual contact with somebody and not catch a stomach virus from them! I don't want you to think that I am telling you to do anything of the sort, I just felt much better when I read that, because it made me feel very safe to be sitting near him on the couch. I mean, if you can be that close to somebody and not catch it, than you are pretty safe in other, situations, such as sitting next to each other and holding hands

[Sarah429]

haha no I get what you are saying. Okay that makes me feel a lot better. Like I said I'm pretty sure it was food poisoning because he ate a Dairy Queen salad with chicken and really old looking lettuce the night before and he didnt have a fever and it only lasted a day. But still I'll play it safe probably until this weekend. Thanks for the advice.

[cdelcourt827]

No problem!! Have a good night (or evening)!