sister is sick

[soluene]

It is that great time of year, isn't it? I spent all day Saturday with my sister and even ate her left-overs! Now, she's v*ing at home. Yuk I hate this. My only consolation is that she gets sv's MUCH more than I do (in that, I never get them); however, I've never been around her before when she got them. OK, well, I'm not freaking out too badly (I've made much progress!), but still very nervous and waiting for that first feeling of nausea. Thanks for listening - all you that really understand.

[babygap5]

I'm sure you are going to be ok. It might not even be a sv, it could be food poisoning. If it is a sv, the person isn't contagious until AFTER showing symptoms. Just keep your distance from her and you should be fine. Remember, she could be contagious for up to 72 hours after the last v* or d* episode. Keep us posted on how you and her are feeling.

[silver]

I understand the anxiety and strain that goes on when that happens. I always try to justify why someone is v*, if it is food poisoning, a sv, whatever the reason might be. Its hard not to worry, but it sounds like you are doing a heck of a lot better than most of us in your situation. It sounds like you have made really good progress in fighting this fear...Way to Go!! I am sure that you will be fine, think positively, you have a strong immune system and you will be just fine.

[soluene]

Thanks guys! I asked my sister what made her sick, and of course she doesn't know. But I really really wish she did!


Is that true that a person is not contagious until after showing symptoms? I was never really clear on that. But I do know that most infections occur because you came in contact with fluids (sorry that sounds gross) from a sick person, and not by air. So, I'm really hoping that she did not have it when I ate her left-overs on Saturday, b/c otherwise, I think I'll be fine if I stay away. Unfortunately, her husband left town this week, so I'm the only one around to take care of her if she needs anything. I hope I'm strong enough to do it!

[soluene]

Ok now the emet in me is having a hayday. I feel like going home and not doing anything until I know I'm not going to get sick at work (my sister did! and then had to drive 30 minutes home!!). Also, I'm worried for my brother-in-law who left for a business trip today. What if he gets sick while on the plane???? that thought is terrifying. haha, he probably wouldn't even care. i'm such a freak!

[liriodendron]

I'm sure you are going to be ok. It might not
even be a sv, it could be food poisoning. If it is a sv, the
person isn't contagious until AFTER showing symptoms. Just keep
your distance from her and you should be fine. Remember, she
could be contagious for up to 72 hours after the last v* or d*
episode. Keep us posted on how you and her are feeling.

Babygap, I don't know why you keep saying this.

Certain viruses can be present in the stool before the symptoms show up and persist for WEEKS after the symptoms go away.

When talking about viruses that spread via the fecal-oral route,
obviously there is a potential to spread before and after symptoms and
putting a time limit on it, like the germs have a Rolex on, is not
consistent with what I've learned about them. I respectfully disagree.



I don't mean to cause any additional worry to the poster. I don't have
anything to add other than maybe if your sister is willing to listen
and wants to see change, a good lecture about appropriate times to wash
hands and food safety is in order.

[californiagirl]

QUOTE]

Certain viruses can be present in the stool before the symptoms show up and persist for WEEKS after the symptoms go away.
[/QUOTE]


I heard this same thing, that the stool can carry the virus for 2 weeks after symptoms disappear. I heard this several times because when they announce the re-opening of public pools and waterparks here after winter, they always state that if you've been sick w/D* within the last two weeks, please do not go into the water. Scary, huh?? So, I suppose if the recently sick person were to not properly wash their hands after going #2, then the virus could probably still be spread. EEWWW! Sad but true. I do think it's only the stool that carries it for that long, not through kisses, sharing cups or anything like that, but I could be wrong.

[jill777]

Where is everyone getting their information on how long it takes to get sick or contract the sickness? Has anyone researched this?

[californiagirl]

I've heard it on the news, about the 2-week thing, and also on a couple of websites. I retained this so well because it's damn scary that it can linger for so long!! They warn people of this because of the e-coli scares in public pools and lakes.

[soluene]

Unfortunately, I've justaccepted that there really are no rules that govern how viruses/bacteria behave - just like liriodendron said. If viruses could only spread while the sick person is showing symptoms, then they would not be very successful, would they? Their "trick" is to start spreading before or after symptoms are present, when the person is healthy enough to be out and about. So as much as I'd like to think that I was safe on Saturday, I already know that only time will tell! So don't worry, no one is going to make me more upset.

[crimgoddess]

<<<<<I don't have anything to add other than maybe if your sister is willing to listen and wants to see change, a good lecture about appropriate times to wash hands and food safety is in order.>>>>>


I have seen this being said a few times, and I really feel the need to comment- Just because someone get sick often does not necessarily mean that they don't wash their hands, or prepare theirfood properly. Quite frankly, if I told someone I was sick and the response was "well, you're not washing your hands enough" Iwould be quite offended.


I was my hands after going to the bathroom, before eating (or use purell if I am shopping and don't want to deal with the mall bathrooms), andeverytime I come in from somewhere public. I'm a vegetarian, and the staples of my diet are fruits, vegetables (which I actually wash with soap and water- just in case), and tofu. I know my boyfriend is also as conscious about keeping himself clean, as he is a nurse, and goes through so much handwashing and Purell at work in a given day his hands are always cracked and dry. Yet, I am still sick with a cold or flu (ifnot something worse) at least once a month. I can run a high fever quite easily.


You can't assume thatif someone is sick often, it is because they aren't doing something right- whether that be washing their hands or cooking food properly. Some people just have weakerimmune systems than others- which is beyond their control.



*amber*

[soluene]

Ah yes, I did mean to respond to that comment as well. My sister also works in health care and knows about hand-washing and food safety, so she does not need a lecture. I agree with Amber thatwe cannot be judgemental towards those who get sick! I do think my sister is more vulnerable to sv's, and also working in health care gives her higher chances of exposure. But it isn't her fault that she is miserable right now.


OK Anyway..


I was once a regular poster here on the IES boards (about 2-3 years ago), but have done so much better with my phobia that I drifted away - until now! I guess this is my next test - to be in (or have been in)close contact with a sick person. I'm doing ok in that I haven't panicked, but I am still so nervous! Uh...oh yeah, my point was that I used to know the details of sv's in and out but I have been reading about them again...


It appears as though sv's are spread through direct contact with a sick person's v* or stool. I even read that the noroviruses, the main source of sv's, really are NOT contagious until symptoms begin (like babygap said). So, I'mfairly confident I will not get the illness from my sister; HOWEVER, since we were together all day Saturday (shopping, eating at same places, etc.), I may have been exposed at the same time she was. Since most sv's showsymptomswithin 12-48 hours of exposure, I think that if I am not ill by tomorrow, I'll most likely not get it.


Having said that, I still know that I don't really know how these bugs behave, but I like my odds in this situation and find them comforting! I gotta take what I can get [img]smileys/smilies_01.gif[/img]!

[liriodendron]

Remember there's a seemingly endless list of viruses and bacteria. Some
may be in high concentrations in the stool before and after symptoms,
Rotavirus in particular which is reportedly the most common cause of
d*. Now, Babygap may have read the symptoms of a particular illness and
it's easy to assume that all SV's are the same because of that misnomer
"SV" but there's many, many causes of what people call a SV. Each germ
with it's own set of rules.

[soluene]

Yes thanks well aware of that...that's what I've been saying...no real set rules that govern how these things behave.

[liriodendron]

I started to reply but then walked away from the computer for a while
and noticed there were other replies since I chimed in just now.



Amber, I don't mean to offend those who have compromised immune systems
or sensitve groups. When I was in high school and younger, I used to
get colds all the time. I'm talking maybe one cold every other month
and a couple walking pnuemonias here and there. I didn't know to wash
my hands and watch what I eat and I just wasn't aware of the
consequences but if I did, I would have changed my behavior and it
would have made a big difference. Of course you can do everything right
and still get sick but what I'm saying is it for people who don't
currently do these things, it should help.

[jill777]

Hey peeps, another FYI, when you think you've been around someone who's got it, LOAD UP ON THE IMMUNE SYSTEM BOOSTERS! Top it off with doses of Vitamin C and Echinacea/Goldenseal. I even take Shark Liver Oil to whack the crap out of any potential immune weakeners like the bast%^d of a virus! Rock on people! Kick the crap out of your fears! Yeeeeeeeeehaaaaaawwwww! (Sorry, had too much Caffiene tonight!!) lmao!

[sheri-baby]

Jill love your avatar! lol I laugh everytime I see it! I still believe sv's are contagious before symptoms show, i've read that dozens of times throughout the years, that's what makes me stay as far away as I can even from healthey people when they are talking to me, because you never know, but I would like to add that I have never got sick from someone I was with one minute and the next minute there sick, so I hope that can calm some fears a little, because the times I have gotten sick was from my kids already showing symptoms. What did I just say? I hopr that made sense!

[soluene]

Thanks again for all the support! Now I don't know whether to be more or less nervous...


OK, so a friend that was with me and my sister on Saturday is sick too!!!!!! He never v*ed, just got afever (my sis v*ed and had high fever). Since they fell ill virtually at the same time today, they could not have gotten it from each other. We all ate at a sushi place on Saturday night - they ate sushi but I did not.


(BTW, I'm sorry for dragging thisthread out like this but i'm so nervous!!)


So, I'm think it is mostly likely the sushi. I called the place where we ate, and he told me that it is always a risk of eating sushi, and that some ppl have higher tolerance than others - and that might explain why my sis v*ed but my friend didn't. The plusses are - obviously - that I did not eat the sushi and also that I am not sick yet. Also, it is a plus that ppl don't necessarily v* from this bug!! But the fact that they BOTH have it makes me feel like it is only a matter of hours before I start feeling sick, and i'm so afraid to go to bed...and I'm afraid to go to work tomorrow...!


Why can't I just chill out?

[sheri-baby]

Okay, now you've got to be in the clear, if you were all exposed at the same time than you would have come down with it already!

[soluene]

Update: my friend DID have diarhhea! Now it seems like it really was the sushi they ate and and I am really hoping I AM in the clear.


OK, now it is time to take a Xanax and try to go to bed...lol..i haven't been this freaked out in a long time. I keep calling my sick sister to comfort me...haha...Edited by: soluene

[japa]

sounds like you're going to be fine, soluene.


and liriodendron, I realize that you are just trying to point out that there are a wide variety of stomach viruses with varying means of contagion.


At the same time, I have to say that for this particular situation with soluene, I don't think it would matter too much if her sister's stool was harboring some virus. That's not really relevant to the situation here. Edited by: japa

[soluene]

Hi you guys, I'm fine today so I think this thing passed me. I'm 99% sure it was food poisoning. My sister ate the most sushi and got the sickest, and my friend ate less and got less sick - and also he only got d*, so if I get it that is probably all that would happen to me. I remembered that I ate one piece, but even so, it is probably ok.


Now I'm just so exhausted today at work. I spent so much energy and got so upset about all this, and took Xanax, and now I'm really annoyed with myself. This phobia is something else, isn't it? Of course, the exhaustion could be sickness, but I'm so tired that I don't even care now. But thanks for all the responses, you guys gave me a channel for my nervous energy..thanks!