Caught the flu on 3/13 Western Cruise

[mike2beach]

We were also on the 3/13 Magic and all 4 of us became sick while on board.

 

[decolady]

Were these all head colds or stomach illnesses? We just had a head cold (stuffy noses).

 

[ducklite]

Are we talking "flu" like in a gastrointestinal thing, or true INFLUENZA? There's a big difference.

Anne (Who has a thing about people calling a run of the mill GI virus the flu, which is a serious and life threatening illness.)

 

[DVCajun]

Anne has a point. There is technically no such thing as a "stomach" or "intestinal" flu. A bug that makes you sick to your stomach and throw up is typically caused either by improperly stored or cooked food or by people not washing their hands after using the bathroom. Gross, but true. Not that those of you who caught it didn't wash your hands after you used the bathroom-- you probably just inadvertently touched something that someone else had touched who didn't wash their hands after using the bathroom. Ok, that sounds a bit convoluted, but hopefully it makes at least a little sense!

 

[Gupsmom]

I have a feeling it's a GI bug. According to the CDC flu activity map, Florida has no current flu activity (no doesn't mean absolutely zero but not enough for all these people to have it).

I try not to get uptight about these things before I go but the thought of being stuck in my cabin, sick on our cruise stinks. We'll do what we did last time...wash our hands before we eat anything and use that water free hand antibacterial soap on each child everytime they step foot out of the kids clubs.

Jess

 

[SweetSpot]

***tink386:

We were on two cruises the first being two weeks before the cancelled cruise and I don't remember even hearing about the possibility of getting sick before then. My DD got really sick on Thurs of that cruise with a very high fever and vomiting and my DS got an pretty bad cold. It wasn't a good thing but didn't stop us from rebooking.

On our second cruise we were far more prepared and overly cautious with hand washing and bringing a mini medicine cabinet in case someone got sick. On Friday my DS got what we are pretty sure was a Norwalk type virus. I've never seen him so sick. I had it two days later after we got home. Didn't stop us from rebooking two future cruises although I did have second thoughts as I laid in bed sick that day.

I wouldn't let the possibilty of getting sick stop me from going on another cruise. You can get sick anywhere and there really isn't a way to prevent it completely. It's a risk I'm willing to take over and over again.

 

[S.S.WILSON]

You guys are freaking me out! I always carry anti bacterial wipes and constantly wash hands. I hope this doesnt happen ALOT! Could some of it be from pool water?

 

[Jules1]

3 out of 4 of us got really sick on the 3/13 Magic sailing. No, it was not a GI bug. We have extremely sore throats and both my teens had really bad colds, fever, aches with it. I've had my sore throat for 10 days now, but no cold. It's been miserable. My daughter and I both had our throats cultured for strep - but apparently it's a nasty virus. The doctor said probably a couple more days till it's gone. I'm a RN and we were very careful - everyone carried antiseptic handwash (yes, the viricidal type) in their pockets and used it frequently. And, I am obsessive about handwashing. Before and after eating, each time you re-enter the cabin, etc. Handwash periodically during the day, don't touch handrails, etc, etc. No, we did not get it from the pools. None of us went swimming at all on the cruise.

 

[decolady]

Jules1, that sounds like what we had, though not a really bad sore throat. But a bad, bad cold that lasted almost a week. I agree that it must have been a viral bug on the ship. Wouldn't stop me from going again!

 

[bostonlass]

Sounds like they need to give that boat a good airing out!!!! I don't think that the few hours inbetween cruises is enough in a case like this is it? I wonder what they'll do if it happens a few cruises in a row. Hope you all feel better!