Help! Was I exposed?

[emet-ana]

Hello,

I was out running this afternoon and was jogging along a very narrow pavement (side-walk) past several static cars that had (only) just stopped at some lights.

One of the cars had its window down (it's not very warm here at the moment- about 16c) and as I ran past the car I took a deep breath in and smelt a very strong smell of vomit. I was already past the car when I thought about it so I turned round and right next to that car was a huge pile of vomit on the road. I hadn't run through it (at least I think I hadn't) but I had breathed in the smell and I'm very worried I inhaled norovirus viral particles and got them all over myself and my clothes. Also as I had headphones in and was listening to loud music as I ran past I'm not entirely sure that someone didn't vomit out of the window as I ran past.

As soon as I got in I bagged my clothes (I'll wash them later) and showered for ages and I glugged down a glass of red wine at the time and an entire carton of Welch's purple grape juice (560 calories worth ) after my shower.

Does anyone think I'm still at risk? I've got anti-emetics but I'll only take those if I start to feel very nauseous because they have side effects.

[blueridge212]

I doubt you're at any risk. You certainly can't catch anything by smelling it, that is impossible, and I really doubt that the person vomited as you were running past. You would have definitely noticed that.

My best friend recently had to pull over and vomit when she was out driving because she was dehydrated. She works on a farm in intense Florida heat and has difficulty staying hydrated anyway, and this day it just got the best of her. In your case, it may have been that, it may have been carsickness, the person could have been hungover, etc. There are so many different things BESIDES a virus that it could be.

I know it's hard but try to relax. I will say that that's a lot of grape juice and it may have somewhat of a laxative effect on you, so if you have some loose BMs don't panic, it's just the juice.

[Mayu]

It may have been someone who was drunk or motion sick rather than sick/sick

[emet-ana]

Thank you so much for your replies! I think it's past the point when I would have got ill although I'm feeling a bit unwell tonight. I think it could have been car sickness but I've not been able to wash my clothes yet unfortunately, maybe I will have to put gloves on to transfer them to the washing machine.