Hi. I'm new here, and I'm still typing
my intro story, but I have a question that's always bugged me, and
perhaps somebody here knows the answer (or can at least offer
alternative theories).
I've been emetophobic to a greater or
lesser extent for as long as I can remember. I haven't vomited since
I was nine years old, in fact, and while I can understand how an emet
can keep themselves from vomiting through various methods (breathing
techniques, etc), what I can't understand is how some of us seem to
completely avoid influenza that affects our stomachs.
I haven't gotten “stomach flu” for
close to twenty years. The last time I got it, it only affected my
lower gi system. It resulted in the worst bout of diarrhea</span>
I've ever had, but it was really little more than an inconvenience</span>
compared to what the rest of my family went through.
Each year since then flu season has
passed me like a summer breeze. I get normal colds and flu just like
everybody else, but nary a twitch from my stomach. I never even get
nauseous</span> (from the flu). I guess I'm not
complaining exactly, I just don't understand what sort of mechanisms
could insulate me and others from a viral infection, or at least from
the effects of one.