5-day Florida "flu", anyone?

[CK1]

We travel to WDW at least once every 12 to 18 mos. One thing we have noticed is that every time we go down there, by Day 5, some or all of us contract a stomach virus. In Dec. '98, we arrived on a SUnday, and by Friday, 6 out of 9 came down with it (diarrhea / stomach cramps/vomiting). In Oct. '99, we arrived on Thursday, and traveling home on Tuesday, 5 out of 8 had contracted it. Then in Jan '01, 6 of us went, arriving on a Tuesday, and by check-out Sunday, again, 3 were mildly ill, and 2 were toast!

So for this last trip, knowing we'd be staying 10 days, I was meticulous and left nothing to chance -- we took down loads of bottled water, and never used Florida water anything (ice, tea, lemonade). I also made a big deal about how / where I changed dd's diaper, to avoid picking up rotovirus in a bathroom. Major hand wahing, anti-bacterial goop... I was borderline obsessive-compulsive! Nonetheless, just as I was feeling so proud of myself on Thursday night, we sit waiting for Fantasmic at MGM and 6 yr old son announces... "I feel sick!" Sure enough, before night was over, he proved his point and then some... Luckily, we were 1 for 8 in our party this time, so maybe some of my hyper-sanitary behavior paid off, hard to tell.

Bottom line is, I am curious to know if this is an immune "flaw" in our family, just plain bad luck, or do other families suffer the same problem? One thing I do find interesting about this -- the members of our party that do NOT EVER get sick on these trips currently live or have lived in Florida for 5 to 10 years or more. The ones who ALWAYS get sick (and have it the worst) are those who have never lived in Florida, AND who tend to be susceptible to strong stomach virus response (i.e. the 6 yr old son has been hospitalized for stomach virus that his sister and brother or I had only limited problems with... he always seems to get it "worst". His dad is same way and usually lands in hospital if he gets a stomach flu... )

Just wondering...

Cindy

 

[jwfla422]

I know there are a lot of rumors about the water making people sick. Don't know if this is really true or not. I do know that there are lots of people there which makes for lots of germs everywhere.

Coincidentally, we always bring our bottled water however on our trip last May I got a refillable mug and drank 3 or so cup fulls of iced tea from the fountain at the restaurant. Never did that before. We were there for 5 full days. On the way home we picked up some turkey from a "shadey" market and even though I was suspicious I ate it, dumb!!! I was so hungry and dumb!!

That night (luckily we were home) I had the worst nausa and stomach upset. For an entire week everytime I tried to eat I would feel nauscous...don't know if it was the turkey or the water???

This trip we just got back from last week I drank almost all bottled water, did have some tea or soft drinks at the restaurants but certainly not the amount I had in the refillable mug from the last trip & I was fine....coincidence or....NOT???????

 

[phamton]

The times I have gotten sick, I think it was the combination of eating out everyday. We aren't used to that and if we fly, the exposure to viruses that we may have not been exposed to. I think the main cause though is that we are overeating and snacking all day on foods we normally don't eat at home. I also get stomach cramps when I get overheated.

Bev Hamilton

 

[Kermit]

I think that a big part of it is eating differently than you normally do. It could also be that you're sensitive to the water. I firmly believe that the water at WDW is safe and that it doesn't directly cause people to get sick, but some people just don't deal with change as well as others. I have to drink bottled water any time we go on vacation anywhere or I can count on getting sick. I also get sick when I move, until I've adjusted to the change.

A WDW vacation can really weaken your immunity. Many people get less sleep (or at least sleep at different hours than they're used to) and more exercise than normal. Combine that with the fact that you're probably exposed to all kinds of nasty germs, and it's not surprising that you get sick.

 

[ChefBilly]

I've had bad luck in this respect as well.
On our Oct. 1999 trip, my wife got very sick for the first three days, and then when we got on the Disney Wonder, I got deathly ill. (Of course, it could've been the hurricane we sailed through, but I didn't feel seasick, just like I had a really bad flu.)

And then in Jan. 2001, there were four of us... My sister got very sick in the early part of the week, and then as soon as she got better, I got incredibly sick again. Like a very bad flu.

Luckily our next trip was illness-free.
Still, now you've got me thinking.

 

[CK1]

One other point I want to make is that it's always the same illness every time (which makes me think it's something we ingest or dietary change. etc). No one gets respiratory viruses or colds -- just this yuckee stomach flu. If it were simply a case of comprimised immune system, I would think that the good ol' common cold or similar such viruses (especially those ones with the fevers / runny nose, etc that kids ALWAYS seem to pass around) would also emerge. Not the case... just stomach bug.

And do note that I'm not laying fault at Disney -- I think it's a Florida water thing, and would be the same if we were at Sea World, or the Orange Bowl, or wherever else in Florida! Lordy knows, their water sure stinks of sulfur bad enough... it's got to be compositionally different from our WV water!

Cindy

 

[CK1]

..is that we actually don't eat out all that much at Disney. We're DVC and only eat occassional dinners out, choosing to eat b'fast in the villa and pack a lunch for the parks. So while we are getting dinners out, I wouldn't sya we sepnd the entire week chowing on rich food (besides, it's pretty much the same thing over and over for the kids... chicken fingers and mac-n-c or fries, with an occasional burger or hot dog.)

Just to add to the puzzlement of it all, I guess!

Cindy

 

[ChefBilly]

I always just assumed it was something someone had on the flight down and passed around to everyone else.

I never get sick. Until it's vacation time!

 

[epcotfan]

I always seem to pick up something travelling or post-trip. Twice at WDW I've had stomach bugs. In 1999 I was severely ill-I imagine I had a gastro virus or food poisoning. Following that trip I came down with the chicken pox. Got it two weeks to the day I flew home. I guess I picked it up from the plane or airport. Let me tell you adult chicken pox is painful and not fun!!! I was out of commission for 3 weeks!

I just arrived home from WDW last Wednesday. The next day I had a raging cold. It still won't go away and I feel terrible.

I think part of it is germs that other people carry. We are constantly touching handle bars of rides and in a highly populated area with all kinds of people. Perfect breeding ground for viruses. Even being meticulous with Anti-bacterial lotions and hand washing can't always help. I do make a point of not eating with my hands (try to use a fork) and avoid touching my eyes or mouth or nose if I haven't thoroughly washed and cleaned my hands.

The things you think are clean sometimes aren't. For example my mom saw a toddler on the bus shoving his fist in his mouth and then wiping it all over the back of a seat. The next unsuspecting person could touch that and then infect themselves (if the child was carrying any illness) I've learned to be really careful about what I touch when at WDW. Phones, remote controls and door handles, ride handle bars, and sink handles are the worst!

Also a lot has to do with the foods you eat. If you aren't used to eating greasy fast food 3X a day for a week then it is bound to upset you. I personally can't take eating big meals. I had one large meal at Le Cellier on our trip and I thought it was going to kill me. At home I normally eat tiny meals here and there. I've learned to pick and choose more at WDW. My stomach thanks me for it Never hurts to take some pepcid ac prior to a greasy meal either.

 

[mickeysaver]

Funny, we were just talking about this at work today. I work in a pediatric medical office. We have about decided that it's most likely some strain of rotavirus. There are over 8 different strains and all can cause GI upset. And to make matters worse, your body will allow you to catch it over and over again. Rotavirus can be spread with just a very tiny amount of the spores. Definately be careful with hand washing. I plan on keeping some Purel handy. You never know where little hands might have been. Not only that, but there are so many people at WDW from so many other lands, that it's kind of like visiting a 3rd world country in respect to the number of new and exotic germs that you might be exposed to while there. Makes you think, doesn't it? Mickey

 

[Princess_Aurora]

I got real bad sick in Oct 99. I thought it was the carmel apple I had though. My MIL got even sicker than I did on our next trip and had to spend a whole day in the hotel room. They both seemed to be a 24 hour stomach flu or something and went away after a day. I had never thought about it being something in the water though.

 

[Clover9990]

Originally posted by mickeysaver
We have about decided that it's most likely some strain of rotavirus.

Please be diligent and WASH WASH WASH your hands and your kids' hands as often as possible while at Disney! (Of course, it's great to frequently wash your hands wherever you are, but especially at Disney.) My DD came down with Rotavirus shortly after our last trip to Disney and wound up in the hospital for 2 days, poor thing was so sick. Here's to hoping that NONE of us get sick before, during, or after our next trip to the World!

 

[pat fan]

Someone in our family usually gets sick on vacation,and it's not always the stomache bug!Our oldest DS and DH had strep throat our last disney trip and DS got Scarlet Fever when we were in N.C.I get the stomache stuff no matter where I go,but that's just me.Sensitive to different/greasy food,water you name it.

My Mom also thinks it has something to do with the fact you are all excited to be on vacation and your system is more vulnerable due to being worn down from excitement,being out longer hours etc...I just pack a big medicine bag (Imodium is my friend) to take and keep the pediatricians # handy

 

[maryp]

I have absolutely no doubts that Florida water makes my family ill. Since we are in NH I'm sure it's very different. One year my grandaughter and I were both very ill, we were the only ones in our party who drank the water. Last time, only used our bottled water, no problem at all!
I know some people have trouble with certain kinds of oils, could this be the case in your family?