Need to Cancel!!! We were leaving tomorrow! - Help

[C.Ann]

No one is going to get infected by them in their hotel room and the child would no longer be contagious once they are fever free. Once the fever breaks the viral load is typically down below the level where you are capable of infecting anyone else. You are actually much more contagious before you begin to show symptoms and in the first 24 hours after becoming ill. Your viral load is highest just before you beginb to show symtoms. Once you have a fever your body is fighting the infection and your viral load is dropping. There is no reason to stay home if they are up to making the trip. It is highly unlikely that they would infect anyone else on the tail end of an infection when their viral load is down to almost nothing. I would be much more worried about the people they came into contact with BEFORE they felt ill. So no I would not even consider cancelling a trip due to this kind of thing as I KNOW I would not be a danger to anyone. Sorry for the long post, but the biochemistry major in me feels the need to explain this kind of thing as I did undergad research on the topic of human immune responses

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I am currently at my place (at a lake) where I live 7 months out of the year.. My DD, her DH, and my DGD have a travel trailer that they put on my lower lot here for the season..

Last weekend they went on a trip with a group of others to a resort.. (The "others" were from areas of NYC and Long Island - areas that all have confirmed cases of swine flu..) On the way home Sunday night, my DGD started to get sick - but Monday her dad was sick too (all the same symptoms of swine flu).. Dr. appointments were made and they were told not to allow anyone in their house until swabs could be obtained.. Long story short, it was not swine flu - however it is the "regular" flu.. (So far DD isn't sick yet - although I haven't talked to her today..) Doctors orders: no work, no school until next week - regardless of whether they feel better or not.. Others can come into their home if they have no objections to exposing themselves to the flu.. I have serious health issues, so my DD asked specifically about me.. His response was: "No one is to go near her until seven days after the LAST person in your household has been sick..

So is he wrong - in terms of how long it's contagious? He didn't say "no fever"; he didn't say "no coughing"; he didn't say "no vomiting".. He said, "Seven days after the last person in your household has been sick.."

I'll be spending Memorial Day weekend up here without them - first time in 9 years.. I'm thankful they're considerate enough to not endanger my life with a virus..

Knowingly exposing other people to illness is irresponsible in my book..

 

[Holidaymouse]

Let me preface this: IMHO what it boils down to is common sense. We cannot be responsible for the health and well-being of every man, woman, or child that lives near us, or vacations with us. We must use common sense. If we or members of our family are ill..well...stay home if at all possible. However, I do understand that losing $2K plus is a significant issue if the kiddos might feel better.

This is ALSO why I use common sense in my job, travels, and errand running. I work with the public at a bank..we are the errand you must run...If we shake hands, I wash with soap & water or antibacteria gel. If you use my pen and I can see you are actively ill..OBTW= a gift, it's yours!

Going absolutely bonkers and accusing (what the tone reads, may not have been intended) people of insensitivity and selfishness only creates a hostile environment. Again...use common sense for your family and others. I'd much rather you stay home and not visit me at the bank when you are ill, or use my cart in the store, or touch my pen, or have your kiddos sneeze on me 'cause baby (school age kiddo) germs are the worst. But life happens and I take responsibilty for my self and family and take measures to keep from being infected.

Enjoy your vacation, plan on being health..if things change...be smart about your choices.

I will get off the soapbox now.

 

[FoundMyPrince]

What a thread. I've seen some name calling before, but this is pretty ridiculous. I wonder if an 8 year old hijacked their parents Dis name and wrote a few of those posts.

OP: Very happy you were able to reschedule your trip with minimal cost. It's a good thing you were driving! Hope your family is able to get over this sickness very soon. Have a great July 4th weekend at WDW!

 

[todzwife]

and once you have stopped vomiting ect for 24 hours you are in the clear. Most people you think you infected with no fever or symptoms actually got it from you before you got sick. Even daycares have a "feverand vomitng free for 24 hours" rule for returning. That is because you can be pretty sure the person is NOT contagious after 24 hours with no fever or vomiting.

Unfortunately, you can still be contagious in your stool for up to 2 WEEKS after diarrhea and vomiting are done. Which is why it's SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO important to use GOOD hand washing technique. I'm SO skeeved out when I see people leave the restroom without washing.

And like some other parents here, I have an immune compromised child. It's SO awful when they get sick and end up in the ER. I hope that those who think it's "no big deal" never have a child who gets sick because of someone else's nonchalance about illness.

 

[tkitty]

Good for you! Have a great time- so glad it worked out and that Disney worked with you. Hope your family recuperates quickly.

 

[princessmom29]

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I am currently at my place (at a lake) where I live 7 months out of the year.. My DD, her DH, and my DGD have a travel trailer that they put on my lower lot here for the season..

Last weekend they went on a trip with a group of others to a resort.. (The "others" were from areas of NYC and Long Island - areas that all have confirmed cases of swine flu..) On the way home Sunday night, my DGD started to get sick - but Monday her dad was sick too (all the same symptoms of swine flu).. Dr. appointments were made and they were told not to allow anyone in their house until swabs could be obtained.. Long story short, it was not swine flu - however it is the "regular" flu.. (So far DD isn't sick yet - although I haven't talked to her today..) Doctors orders: no work, no school until next week - regardless of whether they feel better or not.. Others can come into their home if they have no objections to exposing themselves to the flu.. I have serious health issues, so my DD asked specifically about me.. His response was: "No one is to go near her until seven days after the LAST person in your household has been sick..

So is he wrong - in terms of how long it's contagious? He didn't say "no fever"; he didn't say "no coughing"; he didn't say "no vomiting".. He said, "Seven days after the last person in your household has been sick.."

I'll be spending Memorial Day weekend up here without them - first time in 9 years.. I'm thankful they're considerate enough to not endanger my life with a virus..

Knowingly exposing other people to illness is irresponsible in my book..

It's a CYA situation. While it is highly unlikely that an individual would harbor enough viruses to make anyone ill after 24 hours with no fever, there is a romote chance that some of the viruses could have survived and it takes less exposure to make someone immunocompromised ill. He is just being extra careful

Unfortunately, you can still be contagious in your stool for up to 2 WEEKS after diarrhea and vomiting are done. Which is why it's SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO important to use GOOD hand washing technique. I'm SO skeeved out when I see people leave the restroom without washing.

And like some other parents here, I have an immune compromised child. It's SO awful when they get sick and end up in the ER. I hope that those who think it's "no big deal" never have a child who gets sick because of someone else's nonchalance about illness.

CAN is the key word here. It is HIGHLY unlikely that anyone would harbor virus this long, but yes it is possible. If you wash throughly with antibacterial soap after every visit to the restroom though, you are even less likely to spread it to anyone. Agian, this is a HIGHLY unlikely course of events. Not everyone has the luxury of stopping their lives when they get sick. If i didn't go to work when I am sick I would not have a job, and I am a teacher. I catch stuff from the kids at least twice a year and if I stayed home for a week with a cold every time I would have long since been fired. I really do understand what it is like with someone who is immunocompromised, but I still don't feel like it is fair to ask people to stop their lives when they are sick. For most of the world it is just not possible. I woul love it if every one of my kids would stay home when they are sick, but most don't b/c they only get 4 absences without a doctor's note, and most of my parents don't have insurance or money for a doctor. They have to come to school or lose credit for the semester.

 

[C.Ann]

It's a CYA situation. While it is highly unlikely that an individual would harbor enough viruses to make anyone ill after 24 hours with no fever, there is a romote chance that some of the viruses could have survived and it takes less exposure to make someone immunocompromised ill. He is just being extra careful.

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And the reason DGD can't go back to school until next week nor can her dad return to work until next week? I'm not "there" - I'm way up here..

 

[minniesmama]

CAN is the key word here. It is HIGHLY unlikely that anyone would harbor virus this long, but yes it is possible. If you wash throughly with antibacterial soap after every visit to the restroom though, you are even less likely to spread it to anyone. QUOTE]

Please tell me you know that antibacterial soaps don't kill viruses. And that all the antibacterial products out there are "helping" bacteria become more and more resistant to antibiotics and thus more difficult to treat. Honestly, if you're not a healthcare professional, please stop doling out medical information.
I do hope everyone reading this thread has enough common sense to talk to their own providers in these situations instead of taking the oft misguided advice of people on a message board.
Vent over.

 

[princessmom29]

CAN is the key word here. It is HIGHLY unlikely that anyone would harbor virus this long, but yes it is possible. If you wash throughly with antibacterial soap after every visit to the restroom though, you are even less likely to spread it to anyone. QUOTE]

Please tell me you know that antibacterial soaps don't kill viruses. And that all the antibacterial products out there are "helping" bacteria become more and more resistant to antibiotics and thus more difficult to treat. Honestly, if you're not a healthcare professional, please stop doling out medical information.
I do hope everyone reading this thread has enough common sense to talk to their own providers in these situations instead of taking the oft misguided advice of people on a message board.
Vent over.

Antibacterial soaps do kill SOME les vurilent viruses. Not all but some. The basic PH of soaps is enough to denature the protien coats on some viruses and render them harmless. Others are toughter and require more hostile conditions. However, the act of washing with soap will remove viruses from the skin and hugely lessen the risk of transmission. Good handwashing is recomended by every heathcare professional i know to prevent the transmission of flu, which is a VIRUS!!!! I don't have to be a health care professional to be qualified to comment on the disease process in humans. A biochemistry degree with a concentration in human immunology qualifies me to comment. I think i know how viruses interact with human systems. I spent a LONG time studyng the process. Most of what doctors tell patients to do is actually overly cautions in order to cover their own rears and not get sued if someone happens to be contagious longer than expected, even more so with all the needless drama surrounding swine flu right now. So to the PP who asked about the doctor telling them not to go anywhere for a week, yes that doctor is probably more interested in covering his own rear by telling you to stay home longer than is necessary.

 

[MarriedToAPrince]

I am so glad that you were able to reschedule to a better time. I hope that everyone stays healthy and is able to enjoy their vacation in a few weeks!

 

[mejkjj97]

I am also happy you were able to reschedule!!

We were in the same boat last year and the airlines, Disney and the Swan and Dolphin were so helpful. Granted we went from going in April to the end of August (my DH is a teacher) but it all worked out for the best.

We were able to change our hotel stay with no issue, Disney Refunded our Money for the Pirates and Princess Party, and SouthWest completely refunded our money.

 

[TinkerBrie]

Wow!

 

[eeyorethegreat]

Wow!

Of course I am adding to it by posting and I really should restrain myself but threads like this just make me a little and also a little

The OP made her decision about what to do back on the first page here we are on page 5.. (is it?) with people STILL debating germs. Unfortunately, I get some sick (pun intended here) entertainment by "watching" the arguments back and forth.

 

[DLW8]

Thank you all so much for your input. I called Disney Travel and they totally worked with me. I transferred it to a new booking for July 4th week. We couldn't get the same rates of course, but it was about the same. Heck it will be a little warmer (we have been there at this time before), but everyone will be healthy. FYI, it would have been $200 to just cancel and $50 to change. We are lucky that our jobs allow us to change our vacation days so easily. Thank you all so much for your help.
-Virginia

After 5 pages of stuff...I just wanted to sasy that I'm happy you were able to change your dates and I hope everyone is feeling better. As an added bonus, Disney is having some awful rainy weather this week and looks like it's planned for a few more days, so hoefully you will have better weather (although more crowds).

Have a wonderful time whiel you are there. and who knows how long this thread will go before it's locked up....there was a similar "discussion" on the cruise threads a while ago that got just as heated as this one...

 

[A&E'sMom]

Let me preface this: IMHO what it boils down to is common sense. We cannot be responsible for the health and well-being of every man, woman, or child that lives near us, or vacations with us. We must use common sense. If we or members of our family are ill..well...stay home if at all possible. However, I do understand that losing $2K plus is a significant issue if the kiddos might feel better.

This is ALSO why I use common sense in my job, travels, and errand running. I work with the public at a bank..we are the errand you must run...If we shake hands, I wash with soap & water or antibacteria gel. If you use my pen and I can see you are actively ill..OBTW= a gift, it's yours!

Going absolutely bonkers and accusing (what the tone reads, may not have been intended) people of insensitivity and selfishness only creates a hostile environment. Again...use common sense for your family and others. I'd much rather you stay home and not visit me at the bank when you are ill, or use my cart in the store, or touch my pen, or have your kiddos sneeze on me 'cause baby (school age kiddo) germs are the worst. But life happens and I take responsibilty for my self and family and take measures to keep from being infected.

Enjoy your vacation, plan on being health..if things change...be smart about your choices.

I will get off the soapbox now.

ITA with you!

 

[melly]

By the way, im a mum of three children from england and we knew that american people where dramatic about everything but this is just stupid. The original post said temp and did not mention vomiting. So why r somepeople talking about vomiting. If u have a really bad sick bug stay at home, but we ARE talking about the sniffles this time so get a grip and it anit really a big problem!

 

[kevschickee]

By the way, im a mum of three children from england and we knew that american people where dramatic about everything but this is just stupid. The original post said temp and did not mention vomiting. So why r somepeople talking about vomiting. If u have a really bad sick bug stay at home, but we ARE talking about the sniffles this time so get a grip and it anit really a big problem!

ummm not just the sniffles its a high temp for five days and an awful cough. It is a big deal when there are kids or babies that can't handle a fever. This is a virus not a case of the sniffles. Big difference esp when you go through somthing scarry with your child. Im not being dramatic I am being a careful mom. Esp since I have an appointment on Tues at the Childrens Hospital with my 21 month old. She caught a virus and had a seizure so no not being dramatic

 

[mommyarewegoingback]

Thank you everyone for all the well wishes. (I think it has helped my DD, because even though she still has a fever, she's been in good spirits.) I'm sorry to have caused such an uproar on here.

Just to let you know, my DS also has asthma too, Disney has a "special needs" group that can help accommodate heath and special needs issues small or large, from a value to a deluxe resort. They are very helpful.

Illness in crowded areas do very much concern me. There was an outbreak of illnesses at CSR this past winter and that really worried me. So, it really does happen at WDW and we all do need to be aware of it.

-Virginia

 

[honugirl]

Don't forget that there are adults as well who can't handle someone else's fever/virus/whatever. Hopefully those who do not understand what it's like to have to be cautious every where you go won't have to find out what it's like, but if you do, I guarantee all of a sudden it's a whole new world. That's when posts asking if I/my family should go to WDW while sick will drive you crazy.

 

[Crazy4Disney06]

Thank you all so much for your input. I called Disney Travel and they totally worked with me. I transferred it to a new booking for July 4th week. We couldn't get the same rates of course, but it was about the same. Heck it will be a little warmer (we have been there at this time before), but everyone will be healthy. FYI, it would have been $200 to just cancel and $50 to change. We are lucky that our jobs allow us to change our vacation days so easily. Thank you all so much for your help.
-Virginia

So glad you got to move your trip! Disney for the 4th of July should be fantastic!!