Is every bug norovirus?

[thelittlestranger]

I'm sorry if this is a really stupid question but wanted to check something...

Now as we all know here in the UK, norovirus is meant to be some sort of epidemic! This has firstly meant that everyone at work is talking about it, and saying how much they don't want it, etc.

One team in my department has had a lot of people of s*, apparently with noro according to most. It is quite bad there for some reason, but I'm not sure why it would just effect that one team.

My question is though, I know a couple of other people who have v* and taken time off but I'm confused!

My best friend (who I work with) work up early hours Tuesday morning and v* just once. She told me she felt better throughout the day, and didn't v* anymore, and managed to eat Tuesday as well. She said she felt a bit off yesterday morning but looked like she had a lot of colour in her cheeks, looked happy and healthy. I know of someone else who said on Facebook they felt TERRIBLE Sunday night, and that they had v* (not sure if more than once) and had aches and pains, fever, etc. Now my best friends doesn't sound how I would describe noro but this second person does, even though they only seemed to v* once. My best friend's husband has not caught anything yet either.

Then yesterday, a member of my team was off. He had felt unwell Tuesday afternoon (after I'd gone) but stayed in. He had an interview today so came back in to work. We found out he'd v* once but had had d* and felt achy, feverish. So kind of like noro I suppose.

But what I don't understand is how all these people are v* once, then feel well enough to come to work the next day. And I don't get how one team seems to be dropping like flies. It makes me feel a bit upset because I feel that I can't keep track almost, if you get my drift. I'm only doing half days at the moment and haven't been using the loo so I suppose that's a bonus, but today I really struggled with just going in. I've had to take two Phenergan during the day due to extreme n* and stomach aches. I'm worried it's the start of something but feel I can't work out what might be wrong because people are coming down with such different things.

Has anyone else got any opinions or thoughts on if this is the same bug? Is it noro just affecting them all different? Could do with some advice because getting out of bed in the morning is so hard right now.

[thelittlestranger]

So do you think that if someone was to catch one bug, they could catch the other? I hope I don't sound too crazy, but I'm just so confused and feeling completely overwhelmed. I definetely think there's a spot of food poisoning in there somewhere as the team did all go out for an xmas meal but that was nearly a week ago now.

I am trying my best to tell myself it's my anxiety. I've had a mad week and on top of all this I feel real stressed again.

I didn't think of anything sweet smelling! Do you mean to keep on my desk? Have been washing my hands as soon as I'm home from work (I don't really want to use the bathrooms while I'm there at the moment). x

[thelittlestranger]

I think it's amazing you can manage to do the job you do, I seriously admire you! Have you found it's a certain part of the office dropping like flies or equal spread?

Lavender sounds good! I'm gonna try get some. Where do you reckon I could buy it?

Unfortunately we don't have paper towels in the toilets. I try not to touch my face too much at work though, only my forehead really. As I'm only doing half days, I just have a cereal bar snack I can eat straight out of the wrapper.

I do use my sleeves to open doors, but worry this won't be safe enough, but then use my anti viral hand sanitiser, the one from Boots, just never sure if it's enough!

[thelittlestranger]

See it's weird that it's the whole floor but where I am it's all on the same floor, just this specific team that seem to particularly keep getting hit. Obviously other people are getting it, as I mentioned, but I don't know what they're doing differently.

You think I've a good coping strategy? I hope so haha! Thanks for all your support recently, it's nice to know someone is listening xxx

[Rls1994]

Hi.

I also use my sleeve to open doors and stuff, so you're not the only one. But I also think it's not enough.... As soon as I get home, I put my jumper in the wash straight away.

[itsJoe]

I use my jacket sometimes or use my foot to push open public restroom doors just to be safe. You're not alone and there are more people that you would think who have similar actions to you.

[thelittlestranger]

Thank you for your responses. x

Feeling pretty awful, took an anti emetic but my tummy feels gurgly and horrible, plus I have a sore throat. Argh just wish it would die down. I want to finish for work already!

I don't put my jumper in the wash straight away when I'm home though...

[Rls1994]

Don't worry - I only do that otherwise I won't be convinced that I will be OK. Yes, I am crazy..

Also, I always have a dodgy/gurgling stomach that makes noises whenever I'm nervous/anxious (like now...), but it never comes to anything. I've also been crying because I feel trapped. The SV* is in my area and everything now, and it feels as if I cannot do anything about it, yet I continue to worry...

You will be OK. Lots of hugs for you.

[thelittlestranger]

Thanks for replying Rls x

I'm sorry to hear you're upset right now, and I can totally sympathise with you. It's in my office so I know that feeling of being trapped all too well. Fingers crossed we get through it xx