Getting tested for norovirus immunity

[gumdropper1]

This is not a poll. Just trying to start a discussion.

Norovirus enters the body by binding to receptors in the intestine. Some people don't have these receptors and are immune to norovirus.

Would you get tested to see if you are one of those people? And what would it mean if you did?

If you knew that you were immune to norovirus, would you be as careful as you are now? If you knew that you were not immune, would you freak out even more? Would it be a bigger relief to know that you are immune or a bigger stressor to know that you are not?

[virgo_witch]

I would be happy, and a little more relaxed, but not really...norovirus is just one of many illnesses that cause v*ing. And just because I'm immune doesn't mean that everyone else is. I'm afraid of others just as much as me.

[abbey_16]

i agree with virgo i would still be afraid as there is plenty of other bugs out there other than noro =(

[classycaro1]

I would get tested for it because as of right now I suspect that I'm not immune, and having that suspicion confirmed would be a little bit of a disappointment but I don't think it would make my anxiety any worse. However, finding out that I was immune would be a great thing. I'd still have anxiety though because I'm afraid of others v*ing and there's other things that make people v*.

[driftinggoddess]

i would still be like i am because there is alot of other things that can make you ill.. there is like 5 types of SVS out there food poisoning...

[xheartsxoliviax]

Yep although it would come as a relief it still wou;dn;t ease my worry, as like everyone has said, noro isn't the only thing that can make you v* and as other people arn' tested im still petrified!

[stella9]

I would relax a bit, because most of what goes around is norovirus. It also seems to be the most virulent.

Stella

[xmdslatx]

Is this true?

well, i remember having noro twice so i dont think i am immune to it.but, if i found out that i was, that would be awesome.just one less thing to worry about.

if there is a cure for food poisoning or prevention, THAT would be the best news.you can also avoid being s* by washing your hands, but you cant really know if your food is contaminated or not until its too late.

what other sv* are out there besides noro and rota?

[icicledreamz]

well i dont think it would make much of a difference to any of us to be quite honest. emetophobia is related to our own bodies, pretty much a fear of our own being. we accociate everything with v* not only do we fear getting a virus, we fear everything and anything that could possible make us ill. I know that if i felt sick,or feeling "off" but knew i was immune to noro or anything else for that matter i would still be afraid because of the way i am feeling, theres no changing that with immunity. Also, there would be that thought in my mind what if im really not immune and the test was wrong?..theres always gonna be some kind of worry. Being immune wouldn't change anything, not for me anyway

[jkl81]

I think it would lessen my anxiety by a large margin, however I would still be emetophobic. I don't think I'm immune though since I've had a few SVs in my life.

[paulinek]

Well up until a few weeks ago when i got noro, i would have got tested because noro does seem to be the most common one, and if i had been immune (which obviously i'm not) it would have reduced my fear quite a bit but not got rid of it entirely because obviously there are other things that make you v* other than that.

Just out of interest, like xmdslatx asked, what are the other sv's apart from noro and rota, i thought they were the only 2? If there are others how do you get them (or more to the point NOT get them!)

[jkl81]

Understand that norovirus encompasses a large family of viruses that look and act like that picture Doug has down there. There are many different strains and I think 5 groups. Some cause illness in humans and many do not. The only thing I think might be somewhat unique are the adenoviruses that cause gastrointestinal symptoms. I think all the calciviruses and coronaviruses still fit under the noro umbrella. I think the other viruses are pretty rare and perhaps less virulent.

[new.slang]

NO I WOULD NOT</font> I've, thankfully, never have an sv* and I like to imagine I'm immune. If I found out I wasn't, I think it would scare me.

[jandub]

I would do it. Do you need a guinea pig? [img]smileys/smilies_01.gif[/img]

[jubidyjub]

YES!! I would do it. I would have nothing to loose since I'm living as if im not
immune.

[vixki]

YES!! I would do it. I would have nothing to loose since I'm living as if im not
immune.

Same here. If I was immune, then although it wouldn't completely destroy emetophobia for me, it would still rule out that FEAR everytime someone says they have a stomach bug.
I guess though I say now that if I was immune it would be such a relief but I'm pretty certain that removing the feared object doesn't remove the fear itself... so it could even make it worse, if I didn't have to face it.

[noeygirl]

It wouls majorly cut down on my anxiety! I am much more scared of myself being s* than other people being s* and although there are many other things that could make me v* I would worry so much less

Ughhhh I wishhhhh!!!!!!!

[gumdropper1]

There is news.

I inquired of a senior investigator in the Norovirus Gastroenteritis Unit at NIH (yes, there is such a unit) about the possibility of getting tested, and this is what she said:

"There have been studies showing that certain noroviruses- like the prototype strain, Norwalk virus, recognize specific histo-blood group antigens on intestinal epithelial cells. There is additional evidence in adult Norwalk virus challenge studies that if you don't have these antigens you might be naturally resistant to infection. However, many other norovirus strains that cause diarrhea don't have this requirement. It is unlikely that there will be a test that can predict whether someone is resistant to the multitude of circulating norovirus strains."

When I followed up to this message, I explained why I was asking by telling her a little about emetophobia. She replied:

"Thank you for telling me about this condition. I did not know very much about it, and I am going to learn more. We have been working on vaccines for the noroviruses, and it never occurred to me that this might be helpful in other ways besides preventing gastroenteritis in closed settings such as nursing homes and in pediatric populations.We will have to work harder, since the condition must be agonizing.

I wish the best for you, and if I can help in any way, please let me know."

DougEdited by: gumdro&#112;per1

[jkl81]

Interesting research Doug. Maybe you understand more about what it means that Ligocyte's vaccine is in phase 1 of clinical trials in terms of how long it might take to get a useable product. Even if I weren't an emet I might consider being vaccinated for much the same reason as I get my flu shot. I'm not "flu phobic" but missing out on school and work is a problem.

[sage]

Hey thanks Doug - you're always a great source of information and I love that!

I would ask...um...what's the test? LOL. I assume it's a blood test, so yes I would - just out of interest. And so that I would feel more comfortable around sick people I guess.

But honestly, it wouldn't help any untreated emetophobic person. Because the problem is not norwalk. It's ANXIETY. And the anxiety would find another source toute suite...and people would be just as afraid, but of something else. Same goes with having some surgery so you can never vomit again. The anxiety is the problem, and unless IT gets treated, peoples' lives would be just as terrifying.

[jadeshine]

This is not a poll. Just trying to start a discussion.

Norovirus enters the body by binding to receptors in the intestine. Some people don't have these receptors and are immune to norovirus.

Would you get tested to see if you are one of those people? And what would it mean if you did?

If you knew that you were immune to norovirus, would you be as careful as you are now? If you knew that you were not immune, would you freak out even more? Would it be a bigger relief to know that you are immune or a bigger stressor to know that you are not?

I know this is an old post, but I was wondering, do you know how I would get this test done? Like, what test do I ask my doctor for?

[fixxxer2012]

there is some beliefs that if you have a certain blood type you can be a carrier only with no symptoms. some people get very mild symptoms and some are more prone to getting very ill, yearly. not sure if this is just hearsay or if it is proven. since i only get it once every 5 years or so id say maybe im one of the lucky ones.

[hairyfairy]

I`d get tested if it was free, & if I was found to be immune, what a weight off my mind that would be!, but if I wasn`t, I`d just carry on being paranoid about "the dreaded bug" the way I am now.

[RosieRoo]

Holy hell, if I were immune I'd run around like a crazy lady and not have a care in the world!! They'd escort me out of the Doctors' office for dancing on the tables chanting "I can't catch what youuuu caannnn!!" It'd be a MIRACLE. And if by some grace from God throwing up were taken away all together, I'd be flying down the halls and eating everything and anything and touching stuff and not washing my hands like a monster, I would have NO panic attacks ever again.
If I were not immune and could still get sick, and throwing up still existed, well, nothing would change, and I'd hate it.

[crd08]

well i dont think it would make much of a difference to any of us to be quite honest. emetophobia is related to our own bodies, pretty much a fear of our own being. we accociate everything with v* not only do we fear getting a virus, we fear everything and anything that could possible make us ill. I know that if i felt sick,or feeling "off" but knew i was immune to noro or anything else for that matter i would still be afraid because of the way i am feeling, theres no changing that with immunity. Also, there would be that thought in my mind what if im really not immune and the test was wrong?..theres always gonna be some kind of worry. Being immune wouldn't change anything, not for me anyway

I agree with this. It might make me feel better for a while, but not in the long run. The fear is still irrational to beging with, so I think my mind would still find a way to worry.

[gumdropper1]

I know this is an old post, but I was wondering, do you know how I would get this test done? Like, what test do I ask my doctor for?

Jadeshine, you don't need a doctor. You can do it yourself. Just buy a secretor test kit on the Internet (Amazon and sometimes eBay have them). You have to know your blood type before you can do the secretor test. Doug

[Kinetic]

Honestly, I don't think there is any definitive guarantee of immunity. If people start washing their hands and cleaning contaminated areas properly and don't come into work when they are sick, the the virus would not stand a chance. The very fact that a LOT of people are not as conscious about hygiene and such, means the virus evolves and will inevitably do so as there is no way in hell that all people will care as much as say, we do! Personally if you stay healthly and hygienic, a virus would seldom be an issue for you whether you have "natural immunity" or not. If I found out that the norovirus could not "latch onto my intestinal tract" I would most definately not be complacent about anything. I'm not trying to be cynical, but there is nothing better than a healthy diet, plenty of exercise and good hygiene. I haven't v* from a virus in 7 years, some people on this forum a hell of a lot longer. Healthy habits are the best defence, even if I might panic otherwise about it especially when its so virulent at the moment, in hindsight its reassuring to think I haven't v* from a bug in 7 years because generally I take care of my body.
But hey, I could be a bit off track. Maybe some of us are spared the torture of a noro bout.

[Chishu]

And I'd be dancing on the tables (doctors' tables, retaurant tables, classroom tables!) right along with you. It would be a brand new life!

[gumdropper1]

Secretor test kit: http://www.amazon.com/Right-For-Your.../dp/B003XSLAI2

Eldoncard for blood typing: http://www.amazon.com/Right-Your-Typ.../dp/B00199ZABK

[kam00096]

UK link (if anyone's interested!) http://nature-cure.enstore.com/item/...tus-mail-order