Break out the PURELL!!!!

[Disneydrmr]

My family and I just returned from a week's vacation at WDW. We arrived this past Sunday and returned home yesterday. Never, in the dozens of times I have been at WDW have I seen so many people getting sick in public places!!! Everywhere we turned there were both adults and children getting sick in bathroom stalls, bathroom sinks, bushes, and while in line in Toy Story Mania (don't even get me started on this one! They stayed in line!!!) It appears there is an outbreak of the "flu" at WDW and it appears that people felt it necessary to still go out to the parks! My family and I were so afraid of getting sick that we used Purell every second we could!! We tried not to let it put a damper on our vacation....but it definitely was alarming how many people were impacted!!

 

[davedmaine]

There's an outbreak everywhere -- not just DW. You're in as much danger staying at home, as going to DW..

 

[stmize]

Thanks for the warning. Well be in Wdw next wk. for 2 days prior to disney dream cruise.

 

[Tiger926]

My family and I just returned from a week's vacation at WDW. We arrived this past Sunday and returned home yesterday. Never, in the dozens of times I have been at WDW have I seen so many people getting sick in public places!!! Everywhere we turned there were both adults and children getting sick in bathroom stalls, bathroom sinks, bushes, and while in line in Toy Story Mania (don't even get me started on this one! They stayed in line!!!) It appears there is an outbreak of the "flu" at WDW and it appears that people felt it necessary to still go out to the parks! My family and I were so afraid of getting sick that we used Purell every second we could!! We tried not to let it put a damper on our vacation....but it definitely was alarming how many people were impacted!!

One does not normally vomit with the flu. You seem to be talking about a gastrointestinal outbreak, of which there are many at this time of year.

Sorry to hear that, but the entire US is pretty much under a widespread influenza outbreak, also known as flu. Some states are seeing higher cases then during H1N1, and Florida is one of them.

People being out in public places while sick is one of my biggest problems with the lack of sense and consideration that is lacking in much of society today.

Sorry you had a yucky trip, Tiger

 

[lilpooh108]

Was there in early December. I heard the same chunky cough everywhere. We were there 5 days, on the way home I felt super sore and 1 day after I got back I got the same cough. Was sick for about 2 weeks after that

 

[tigger24601]

One does not normally vomit with the flu.

Lol. I vomit with the flu. 1 whole day of my week long quarentine was spent throwing up. And it was not food. Once my head starts draining it's all over.....or up rather. Lol my gag reflexes are horrible.

 

[crisi]

Was there in early December. I heard the same chunky cough everywhere. We were there 5 days, on the way home I felt super sore and 1 day after I got back I got the same cough. Was sick for about 2 weeks after that

I have that chunky cough every year from October through April. Doctor says its allergies and not contagious (unless it gets infected in which case I tend to know and am not running around Disney).

Its horrible because I don't sleep well for about six months a year.

I don't doubt you got it at Disney, but not everyone coughing is contagious. Some of us are just unlucky in our ability to breathe.

 

[Sammie]

There's an outbreak everywhere -- not just DW. You're in as much danger staying at home, as going to DW..

I don't think there is any greater danger in catching something, but I can assure you that if sick I would not be at a theme park spreading my germs to everyone else.

 

[lilpooh108]

I have that chunky cough every year from October through April. Doctor says its allergies and not contagious (unless it gets infected in which case I tend to know and am not running around Disney).

Its horrible because I don't sleep well for about six months a year.

I don't doubt you got it at Disney, but not everyone coughing is contagious. Some of us are just unlucky in our ability to breathe.

Awww that's too bad for you. Mine was definitely viral as I had flu symptons (mid temp fever, colored snot, muscle soreness, GI issues from the flu). I am the only one in my family who didn't get the flu shot. Everyone else was just fine, except for me. That will teach me to be lazy.

Regarding your allergies...have you tried a more humid climate? Most of my respiratory allergies improve when I'm in Hawaii. My dad is a chronic cougher/throat clearer, he as severe chronic sinusitis from allergies. It's really bad--like people move away from him in waiting areas b/c they think he's sick. He spent some days in Hawaii and it started to clear up. The minute we came back to CA (really dry air, very bad pollen count), he started hacking again. Poor thing.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

This is going on everywhere and I know of a couple completely unrelated people that have had vomiting with this flu. (I thought that could be a very common result from flu?) It's starting out as a tough flu season for certain. And at WDW people are determined to head out and have fun no matter what. I'm crossing my fingers that the flu shot protects me as I travel.

 

[quandrea]

I have that chunky cough every year from October through April. Doctor says its allergies and not contagious (unless it gets infected in which case I tend to know and am not running around Disney).

Its horrible because I don't sleep well for about six months a year.

I don't doubt you got it at Disney, but not everyone coughing is contagious. Some of us are just unlucky in our ability to breathe.

That is me. I have a puffer and medication regimine this year that gave me my life back.

 

[crisi]

Awww that's too bad for you. Mine was definitely viral as I had flu symptons (mid temp fever, colored snot, muscle soreness, GI issues from the flu). I am the only one in my family who didn't get the flu shot. Everyone else was just fine, except for me. That will teach me to be lazy.

Regarding your allergies...have you tried a more humid climate? Most of my respiratory allergies improve when I'm in Hawaii. My dad is a chronic cougher/throat clearer, he as severe chronic sinusitis from allergies. It's really bad--like people move away from him in waiting areas b/c they think he's sick. He spent some days in Hawaii and it started to clear up. The minute we came back to CA (really dry air, very bad pollen count), he started hacking again. Poor thing.

Yeah, the reason its those months is because I'm in Minnesota - if I take a mid-winter break to somewhere hot and humid, it burns out over a few days. But my doctor won't give me a prescription for a vacation in Hawaii every Winter. And this is where jobs and family are.

 

[DannysMom]

I don't think there is any greater danger in catching something, but I can assure you that if sick I would not be at a theme park spreading my germs to everyone else.

I think the biggest reason folks get sick more at Disney, is that they simply WON'T stay back at the hotel until they are not contagious. They spent a lot of money to go on vacation, and if they don't feel too bad (or mom& dad say that junior isn't THAT sick, s/he can power through it) unless they feel deathly ill, they are out in the parks, spreading contagion. At home, when you are sick, you generally stay put until you feel better, no so much at Disney World, unfortunately.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards App, please excuse any typos or autocorrects!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

My family and I just returned from a week's vacation at WDW. We arrived this past Sunday and returned home yesterday. Never, in the dozens of times I have been at WDW have I seen so many people getting sick in public places!!! Everywhere we turned there were both adults and children getting sick in bathroom stalls, bathroom sinks, bushes, and while in line in Toy Story Mania (don't even get me started on this one! They stayed in line!!!) It appears there is an outbreak of the "flu" at WDW and it appears that people felt it necessary to still go out to the parks! My family and I were so afraid of getting sick that we used Purell every second we could!! We tried not to let it put a damper on our vacation....but it definitely was alarming how many people were impacted!!

Why does a thread like this show up every year??? LOL! (In other words this in not a "one time occurance") And of course once you start "looking" you will find. (Kind of like the drunks at Epcot, 25,000 people, 2 drunks and what will people post about.... )

Of course the overuse of Purell actually INCREASED your chance of getting whatever.. Immune systems are built by "exposure", living in a bubble limits the exposure.

 

[disneycrazi]

I have that chunky cough every year from October through April. Doctor says its allergies and not contagious (unless it gets infected in which case I tend to know and am not running around Disney).

Its horrible because I don't sleep well for about six months a year.

I don't doubt you got it at Disney, but not everyone coughing is contagious. Some of us are just unlucky in our ability to breathe.

Amen! I have that same cough, about the same time frame...feel like I need to wear sign saying im not contagious, its allergies! I had them as a child, then none for many years...moved from Illinois to Indiana (short distance I know) BUT my allergies and sinus are a mess most of the time....its a real pain!

 

[jacesmommy]

Seriously that's just gross and wrong!!! I for one would not want to be out in public vomiting!!! I don't care where I was!!! That's awful.
And there is a gastrointestinal virus running rampant everywhere right now!!!!

 

[twinklebug]

Every year during the winter months Disney has the outbreak of a multitude of viruses coming in from a crush of visitors all over the globe. I count ourselves as blessed any time we go during the high-viral time of year and one or more of us don't catch anything.

Best approach I've found: Just keep purel on hand and use antibacterial wet wipes on planes (particularly the waiting area seats). Make sure everyone knows to use the purel before touching their face or any food/utensils.

Oddly enough - the worst I've gotten was from a july trip - caught whooping cough from someone, then passed it onto my 78yo mom when we got back (I did warn her to stay away from me but moms never listen do we) who ended up in the ER.

 

[vinmar4]

I think the biggest reason folks get sick more at Disney, is that they simply WON'T stay back at the hotel until they are not contagious. They spent a lot of money to go on vacation, and if they don't feel too bad (or mom& dad say that junior isn't THAT sick, s/he can power through it) unless they feel deathly ill, they are out in the parks, spreading contagion. At home, when you are sick, you generally stay put until you feel better, no so much at Disney World, unfortunately.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards App, please excuse any typos or autocorrects!

I have to agree with you. I understand that we pay a lot of money for our vacations, but we also have to be conciderate of other people with small children especially.
There is a lot of stuff that one can do to try not to spread the germs, especially the first 2-3 days when you more contagious. Those would either be unplanned resort days where the sick person can rest while the rest can have fun or if at the parks or water park days and I would sleep under a tree away from people. I would try to stay away from lines for sure and as away from the big crowds as possible. We are planning a Thanksgiving vacation for the first time this year, so we are all getting the flu shoot that we did not get this year. I will also try to get a prescription from my physcian for Tamiflu just in case. I will need to find out where they have urgent care by WDW so can get can get the Tamiflu there if needed because you need to take it during the first 2 days but it does work!
My whole family know how big I'm in washing your hands and covering your mouth so they would not be surprised at the change of plans if needed is somebody gets sick at the last minute.

 

[lilpooh108]

Of course the overuse of Purell actually INCREASED your chance of getting whatever.. Immune systems are built by "exposure", living in a bubble limits the exposure.

This is misinformation, don't you think? If you overuse antibacterial products on a daily basis, you may eventually decrease your overall immune system by not allowing your body to adjust to certain common germs.

But limited use on vacation is recommended to avoid non airborne infection.

By your logic, LESS people on cruise ships would get norovirus if they DIDN'T sanitize their hands. That's just not logically correct.

 

[twinklebug]

If you overuse antibacterial products on a daily basis, you may eventually decrease your overall immune system by not allowing your body to adjust to certain common germs.

But limited use on vacation is recommended to avoid non airborne infection.

You are correct, however, OCC, do you happen to live in the Disney area? (I'm thinking by your name you're in FL, but even if CA, it's pretty much the same deal). If so, for her using Purel to avoid those Disney germs when in the tourist area would harm her system as it could very well be every day. So, it could be that you're both right, but from different viewpoints.

For brief visits such as a week or two per year, particularly when there is an abundance of viruses from tourists about, use is recommended.