Anyone else get sick this week at disney?

[McKelly]

My DS was sick Thursday night with what I think was Norovirus. Well, guess what I got at about 6:00pm last night? OMG - I haven't been that sick since I can't even remember. I felt like I was knocking on death's door. Feel better this AM, but for those that have had this at Disney - my sympathies. I can't imagine dealing with that in a hotel room.

I will definitely be bringing LOTS of anti-bacterial stuff along when we leave in 11 days! Does anyone know if we can get it again? Are there different strains of Norovirus?

 

[fitzperry]

I will definitely be bringing LOTS of anti-bacterial stuff along when we leave in 11 days! Does anyone know if we can get it again? Are there different strains of Norovirus?

There are different strains. As I understand it, Norovirus is always more prevalent during the winter months (not sure exactly why that is the case), but there have been reports that a new strain made its way from Australia to the U.S. late last year. That is why the outbreak has been worse than usual this winter--more people who aren't immune to that strain means more people getting sick. Aside from that, I think the virus tends to mutate over time and people lose immunity they'd built up. I've seen it compared to rhinovirus in that sense.

I wish they'd develop a vaccine!

Edited to add that when I was reading about that new strain I also saw a couple of suggested preventive measures I'd never heard of . . . one was drinking something like 3 cups of grape juice per day (!)--no thanks on all that sugar--but the idea was that it makes your stomach more acidic and less hospitable to viruses (probably just wishful thinking). Then someone else suggested doing that just if you thought you'd been exposed--but if you got sick after drinking 3 cups of grape juice . . . wow . . . again, no thanks!

Another suggestion I saw was green tea--something about the phenols making your stomach more acidic, so same general concept as the grape juice. Interestingly, for years I seemed to be the member of my family most susceptible to stomach viruses, but since I started drinking a lot of green tea I really haven't been sick. I did have something early this winter, but it was very mild by comparison. Totally anecdotal, of course, and maybe I just built up immunity by being sick more often over the course of a few years, or maybe it's just the luck of the draw, but I suppose the tea could have had something to do with it. Doesn't matter really since I'm drinking it anyway! I'm skeptical; in fact, I hesitate to even pass this along, but I thought the green tea connection was interesting.

I've also wondered if probiotics might help simply by making your digestive system healthier, but I haven't seen any research on that either.

 

[aaarcher86]

My DS was sick Thursday night with what I think was Norovirus. Well, guess what I got at about 6:00pm last night? OMG - I haven't been that sick since I can't even remember. I felt like I was knocking on death's door. Feel better this AM, but for those that have had this at Disney - my sympathies. I can't imagine dealing with that in a hotel room.

I will definitely be bringing LOTS of anti-bacterial stuff along when we leave in 11 days! Does anyone know if we can get it again? Are there different strains of Norovirus?

I haven't been keeping tabs on it but I feel like the news headline 'new strand of Noro found' was something I saw over the winter. I'm pretty sure there are a few different strands floating around I hope I'm wrong.

 

[DopeyDonald]

I've gotta say that I really think it's luck too. We have been to Disney 4 times in the last 3 years and never had 1 person so much as sneeze. And (really don't judge - lol) - we aren't big hand washers. We don't bring any wipes or sanitizer etc. Sounds gross to lots of you I'm sure, but we are that way at home too. Wash after using the restroom and that's about it. My kids aren't huge "mouthers" though - never were. (by that I mean, don't put things or hands in their mouths) So I don't know if we've just been lucky or if we are just healthy from all of the good bacteria we must have from never washing our hands... lol

 

[gbanshee]

It seems to me that any of these viruses could be picked up anywhere in the "chain" of travel.

1. departing airport
2. plane
3. arrival airport
3. DME (or rental car)
4. Resort
5. Parks
6. DME
7. Airport
8. Plane
9. Airport

When you think of ALL the people you encounter in each step, why always blame Disney?

 

[DebbieB]

I just got home Friday night, not sick. The only precaution I took was hand sanitizer.

 

[Pats Dragon]

Just got back without getting sick in 10 days!! We have gotten sick at DW before though and it is not fun. I had the cornish hen at BOG with no ill effects and thoroughly enjoyed it. Doesn't mean another poster didn't have another experience though. Noro info says that it can live for 2 weeks and the only really safe prevention is hand washing because it has to be wiped off before you touch your face, eyes or nose. Easy to pick it up and hard to avoid.

 

[Deb & Bill]

...I will definitely be bringing LOTS of anti-bacterial stuff along when we leave in 11 days! Does anyone know if we can get it again? Are there different strains of Norovirus?

Anti-bacterials only get bacteria. Not virus.

From the CDC:

Preventing Norovirus Infection

There is no vaccine to prevent norovirus infection, but research is being done in this area.

Practice proper hand hygiene

Wash your hands carefully with soap and water—
• especially after using the toilet and changing diapers, and
• always before eating, preparing, or handling food.

Noroviruses can be found in your vomit or stool even before you start feeling sick. The virus can stay in your stool for 2 weeks or more after you feel better. So, it is important to continue washing your hands often during this time.

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can be used in addition to hand washing. But, they should not be used as a substitute for washing with soap and water.

 

[DebbieB]

One thing I noticed this week - the water pressure in the restroom sinks isn't that strong, it makes it hard to thoroughly wash your hands. Plus it only comes on for a few seconds.

 

[Elandon]

The new "Sydney" strain of norovirus is causing more severe illness than usual and is probably at least partially responsible for the increase in cases this year in comparison to other years. Immunity is only partial after infection and short-lived. Some estimate that one is protected for only about 30-60 days making repeat infection common. Incubation period for norovirus is 12-48 hours so one can pin-point the most likely time period for inoculation. In other words, if you get sick 5 days into your disney trip, you got it at disney. Believe me, I am a huge disney fan even after getting sick and think they do a whole bunch of stuff really well! That said, I would hope that they 1) have a food worker policy that favors protecting guests and 2) use cleaning products in restrooms and guest rooms that kill norovirus. These two things can help protect us and make our visits more magical.

 

[suedaisy]

I am an epi as well.. I noticed this thread today and wanted to make sure that you had the info.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3078992

 

[DonoMoose]

I have to chime in again... My entire family calls me crazy because of the precautions I take when I go to ANY hotel... Yep, I make my own bleach & water spray bottle for the wiping down of things. I bring my own bed sheets, blankets, towels, you name it. I also bomb the room in Ozium to kill anything else that might have transmitted in there... Extreme? I don't care, I do it so I can sleep at night.. but guess what? We ALL still got hit with Norovirus, this thing is insanely powerful. Just standing behind someone in line, touching the railings in line.. Oh and dare I say the crammed like a can of sardines Disney Transportation buses??!!?? OMG that's an Illness awaiting your arrival right there!! When something is going around like that, there is almost nothing you can do. Consider yourself lucky & blessed if you escaped the wrath of it... Will I still keep doing my clean everything down madness? You bet ya! Only for the sake of knowing, hey I can eat in this room & sleep in peace in it. When I enter those Buses & Parks, that's the risk I'm taking, unfortunately the risk we're all taking of possibly getting sick Do you part, bring your sanitizers, wash your hands bla bla.. But try not to sweat it cause getting sick is nothing anyone orders upon request. It's an unfortunate circumstance, keep planning and try and enjoy it all. Even the sick time, read to your little ones, sing to them, pray with them. Whatever, make the best out of everything. Hope everyone is feeling better, we are finally all clear here.

 

[alex9179]

I like to use diluted Nix-all. I use it for all kinds of things...cleaning counter tops, my dog's hot spots, scrapes, and my eczema.

Environmentally friendly and feels mild on my poor hands when the eczema flares up. There is no way I would use hand sanitizer, even if it killed norovirus! I'd be miserable! Soap and water in our family's go-to.

 

[taracrumpton]

My daughter vomited in her crib last night and twice this morning (Monday). Today is Monday and we were at Magic Kingdom Friday night, Epcot Saturday, and Disney Studios on Sunday. We live in Florida and go to the parks at least three times a year. Some one has gotten sick every time we go. We are almost certain that my brother had the norwalk virus back in December. We have done our best to no longer eat at the parks especially Magic Kingdom. I bathroom sinks barely have any water pressure and are on automatic sensors that are not sufficient enough to wash off the soap let alone germs. There are no hand sanitation stations through out the park. I would love to swab and culture one of those ketchup dispenser pumps that everyone touches right before they eat their french fries, and cheeseburgers. Your exposed to germs and bacteria from all over the world. I think Disney has been trying to tackle this norwalk virus for years. I think they should stop going green and start going clean! Hand sanitizers kill bacteria but not all viruses thats why good hand washing is so important. Sorry that your trip was cut short Im certain that you are one of MANY, MANY people but I wouldn't expect Disney to take any responsibility for it.

 

[taracrumpton]

Water pressure is horrible and it's very difficult to get the soap washed off let alone germs. Im a nurse RN so I am educated on proper hand washing. you need to lather well with soap and use friction for at least 30 seconds this is hard to do with a sink that has no water pressure and turns off in about 5 seconds. There is no hand sanitizer near diaper changing stations or disposable mats available. Stop going green and start going clean! I try to carry lysol wipes and lots of hand sanitizer but it's upsetting when you cant properly wash with soap and water.

 

[Denise W]

This thread is from a year ago! I am sure they aren't still sick!

Denise

 

[jcota]

well we are all going to die.....why not die at the happiest place in the world?

 

[Ozzygirl]

I have to admit I'm so paranoid about these things. My Mom was a travel agent and she would NEVER go on a cruise during the winter/early spring months b/c of the Norovirus. I am ultra conscious about not touching door knobs, elevator buttons etc. I'm going down in October so hopefully that's before flu season, but I will have my Lysol and hand sanitizer. (Oh and I will wipe down the hotel door, toilet flusher, remote, phone and balcony door and chairs/tables before we touch anything!) My DH looks at me like I am crazy

 

[ideascubed]

I am not surprised more people aren't ill. We ate at Trails end one evening and wondered where the manager was. Hot food cold, cold food like shrimp warm. Golden Corral at least had somebody taking temperatures. Things that might help; ask for no ice in your drinks. Our family has gotten ill consistently at sunshine terrace. We no longer stay on property because for the same amount of money we can get more amenities. We also have been to Disney 6 times this past year and no illness yet. That's a new experience for us.

 

[Sparkly]

I only used hand sanitiser and washed my hands well after using the restroom and I was fine. We didn't even sanitise the hotel room.

It's a little hard to wash your hands properly in the public restrooms but not impossible. I wish they had hot or at least warm water.