I've heard that nursing homes are a bad place for stomach bugs, which makes sense. A lot of older people's immune systems aren't as strong as younger adults. Plus, if they are in a nursing home there is a good chance that they have something else wrong too. Also, you have a nurse going from person to person, changing diapers, helping them toilet, and then moving on to the next person. That situation doesn't occur too often outside of nursing homes.

Also, only cold and flu germs are contagious through the air, not any stomach bugs, so close proximity to people in attempt to get those great Black Friday deals doesn't leave me worried. My family, on the other hand, does leave me worried.

Thanksgiving means going to my grandparents house, and I love my grandparent's house. Unfortuanitly, my grandfather was diagnosed with some degenerative muscle disease a few years ago and he has trouble swallowing. He will sometimes choke on the food and, while trying it cough it back up, he has been known to get sick. It doesn't happen often, but it could happen. someone posted 8 tips to getting through the holidays on here, I wish that I could remember who. I'm thinking of printing them out and bringing them with me.

I'm glad to hear that your kids never picked up your phobia! As you know, it is no fun to go through the holidays with this.