Wrong information???

[claire43]

Im totally confused by the ways you can get a sv*. Over the years Ive been on here Ive heard over & over that you can only catch it from actual v* or d* particles. To me that seems flawed as surely the majority of people wash their hands properly so how come it spreads so widely. It has given me some comfort despite my misgivings then today I got different information. I had appt with nurse at my drs surgery for my regular b12 jab (Get it every 10 wks for pernicious anaemia), so I asked her if she had any tips on avoiding it. I explained about my phobia & how a co-worker who I work closely with has been vomiting for a couple of days caused by a sv*. She said its just luck who does & doesnt pick it up. Its spread by touching something someone contagious has touched, also its airbourne. That totally freaked me out & I left there with a feeling of impending doom. Ive had to handle a lot of things hes touched as hes the lab tech who actually makes the prescription spectacles then I have to handle them before moving on to the next stage. Im living in fear just waiting for 'it' to happen. He said the first time it happened he had no warning & couldnt even make it the few feet to the bathroom & was sick where he stood

[Simm]

Well it is airborne but only immediately after someone has v* or d*, perhaps the particles are in the air for about 10min, perhaps less. Most people catch it from touching infected surfaces as you said, but I hear about a lot of 'outbreaks' are caused by someone infected handling food and then other people eating it. The best way for you to avoid it is to keep up good hand hygiene, wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your face etc. Also don't forget, after he was ill he probably gave his hands a good wash. I'd say you should be fine, try not to think about it too much if you can.

[claire43]

If only I could. Thats all Im thinking about lately. Every time I feel queasy - which I do a lot! - I think thats it Im going to v*. Its not helped cos Im having a flare up of my IBS which is messing my stomach up so same symptoms as possible sv*. Im driving myself nuts

[Syrup]

If it was actually airborne it would be as common as colds (which ARE). We've had it in our house multiple times in the last 5 years and I've been RIGHT THERE when they boys are v*ing and I haven't caught it and neither has anyone else. This year alone my 8 year old has had it 2x and my hubby once, the 3 year old hasn't had it at all and neither have I. When the flu came we ALL got it, cold we ALL get, so that information isn't accurate. She's right that it's airborne when the person is actively ill, but don't fret that it's going around when people cough or sneeze as it's not. You AREN'T GOING TO GET IT! Watch a movie, do you best to relax and know that this time next week you'll feel loads better.

[Syrup]

P.S. Regarding your question about why there are outbreaks, I've asked multiple friends about whether or not their kids are required to wash hands before lunch - 8 out of 10 said no. There's your answer. If it goes around school, it goes around period! That's why it's so much more common when school is in session. Kids don't wash their hand and then go touch a million surfaces. You know better and will avoid it! Chin up.

[claire43]

Thanks. I am trying to ignore how I feel but I honestly am having stomach issues, I even took wednesday off work cos I felt so sick & shaky & that was before I found out about our lab tech (he didnt come back in til thursday which was the same day as me). Rationally I know Im getting worked up but at this present time I just feel like Im going to get sick. I have had an appetite but then again so did he. Moments before he v* the first time he was just making himself breakfast, he said it was like somebody flicked a switch - he woke up feeling fine, then his stomach started to feel churned up then wham he v*. This phobia just sucks the life out of me. Im constantly on edge, even when I dont know of anyone with a stomach bug it never leaves my head. Plus Ive been dreading working tomorrow for last 6-7 wks cos Im working with the man who owns the business. He NEVER works a saturday but decided to do this one, I find him irritating & very opinionated. For wks Ive been saying half jokingly that I was gonna take day off & get someone else to cover for me & now Im thinking have I jinxed myself. Will it hit me tonight or tomorrow!!!!! Wish I could turn my thoughts off

[Syrup]

Nope, it's not going to hit you tomorrow because you aren't catching it. I have to say that I think men are just that way with stomach stuff. They don't like to admit that they may be ill. My husband had it last month, woke up feeling off, ate breakfast anyway (most people wouldn't do that). I told him to go back to bed, instead he went with friends on a neighborhood walk. Halfway through he called me to say that he was feeling worse. Got home, decided to eat again to see if it would make him feel better (?????? Is it just me or is that crazy ???????) It didn't. THEN he got sick. You would know. There's NO WAY that you caught this thing! Unfortunately (?) for you, you'll have to deal with your boss tomorrow! Take some starlight mints, cans of gingerale or whatever helps you to calm down. You've gotten yourself all worked up. You WILL get through tomorrow without getting sick - I am 100% sure of it.

[xundu]

P.S. Regarding your question about why there are outbreaks, I've asked multiple friends about whether or not their kids are required to wash hands before lunch - 8 out of 10 said no. There's your answer. If it goes around school, it goes around period! That's why it's so much more common when school is in session. Kids don't wash their hand and then go touch a million surfaces. You know better and will avoid it! Chin up.

Not only that but the thing is, lot of people don't wash their hands properly, as sad as it is. It's surprising how many people don't even wash their hands after using the toilet!

[Simm]

If only I could. Thats all Im thinking about lately. Every time I feel queasy - which I do a lot! - I think thats it Im going to v*. Its not helped cos Im having a flare up of my IBS which is messing my stomach up so same symptoms as possible sv*. Im driving myself nuts

Sorry, didn't mean to sound patronizing. I was in pretty much the same boat just a few years ago, when things got really bad for me. Try to keep calm as best as you can, focus on your breathing and keep reminding yourself of all the things your doing to avoid getting ill, like washing your hands, not touching your face etc. When I feel queasy I try to go through all the rational possibilities that it could be to rule out an sv*, like does it feel more like gas or have I eaten a lot of junk today etc. Sometimes that is enough to allow me to distract myself for a bit, and then by the time I've finished being distracted I think to myself, well I haven't v* yet, I think I'd probably know by now if it was an sv*. I hope you feel less anxious soon :/

[claire43]

Thanks everyone.

I got through a full days work & felt fine, in fact I was starving. As crazy as I sound I know I wont relax until Im pretty sure Ive passed the incubation period. Even then I'll be anxious cos theres a nasty sv* going around my local area. Hoped it would ease off when the schools closed for easter fortnight but it didnt seem to have any effect. Every day I seem to hear of another case. Its so exhausting living with this at moment. On the outside I look totally normal - cool & calm, but inside theres a feeling of dread & fear

[claire43]

Simm I didnt think you were being patronizing, you only said what the rational part of me says all the time

[SUM1]

Im totally confused by the ways you can get a sv*. Over the years Ive been on here Ive heard over & over that you can only catch it from actual v* or d* particles. To me that seems flawed as surely the majority of people wash their hands properly so how come it spreads so widely. It has given me some comfort despite my misgivings then today I got different information. I had appt with nurse at my drs surgery for my regular b12 jab (Get it every 10 wks for pernicious anaemia), so I asked her if she had any tips on avoiding it. I explained about my phobia & how a co-worker who I work closely with has been vomiting for a couple of days caused by a sv*. She said its just luck who does & doesnt pick it up. Its spread by touching something someone contagious has touched, also its airbourne. That totally freaked me out & I left there with a feeling of impending doom. Ive had to handle a lot of things hes touched as hes the lab tech who actually makes the prescription spectacles then I have to handle them before moving on to the next stage. Im living in fear just waiting for 'it' to happen. He said the first time it happened he had no warning & couldnt even make it the few feet to the bathroom & was sick where he stood

You CANNOT get it just by touching something. You have to ingest it through your mouth or nose into your digestive system. Also it is NOT airborne, except for if someone's had diarrhoea or been sick nearby and the particles have become aerosolised. Also, I doubt the majority of people actually wash their hands properly. At my school, it's definitely the minority.