Stomach bug at DW...it's happened to us

[HookdonWDW]

The PP said that they take the WELL kids to the parks.

No. They took the sick kid to the park, and put him and his germs in a park stroller, potentially passing the virus on to some other unsuspecting child...

Also-we did take him a bit to the park while sick...we rented one of those huge strollers and bundled him in so that he could at least be there and watch the parade.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Keep reading...it was stated she took the sick one to the parks to see the parade.

Fair enough, but it seems that they took everyone into consideration when they did it by renting a large stroller and bundling up the child. Let's be real - you are not taking a young child into the parks with this bug if they are still symtomatic, and they are not contagious to the public once symptoms have stopped.

With the norovirus, you actually spread it for a day or two BEFORE you become symptomatic. Taking a child into the parks after the symptoms have resolved themselves is not a risk to the public.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

No. They took the sick kid to the park, and put him and his germs in a park stroller, potentially passing the virus on to some other unsuspecting child...

Also-we did take him a bit to the park while sick...we rented one of those huge strollers and bundled him in so that he could at least be there and watch the parade.

That's not how this virus works. Unless the child was still vomiting, this child was no longer contagious.

 

[HookdonWDW]

They said that they did it when their child had a stomach bug. Although Norovirus gets all the press, not every stomach bug that a child gets is NV. Common sense and general courtesy should tell a parent to keep a sick kid at home. But hey, it's WDW. My child comes first, once in a lifetime, I spent a lot of $$$, etc....

 

[BuckeyeBama]

They said that they did it when their child had a stomach bug. Although Norovirus gets all the press, not every stomach bug that a child gets is NV. Common sense and general courtesy should tell a parent to keep a sick kid at home. But hey, it's WDW. My child comes first, once in a lifetime, I spent a lot of $$$, etc....

And, hey, it's the Dis, so you are free to make assumptions about others and judge them.

 

[HookdonWDW]

Yep. Sounds like something BOTH of us are doing. At least my judgements were based on what was typed not things that I added to the OP by magically reading between the lines. I also realize I can't prevent someone from taking their sick child to the parks. It happens everyday. I just don't think it's something to be proud of. But there I go judging again. (I remember when that used to be called "having an opinion"...).

 

[Betty Rohrer]

the worse part of the bugs going around is others can get it from you and you have no signs of it. so the one not sick could give it to others. that is how Noro Virus get passed so easily.

 

[matt1979]

Sometimes it helps just to hear others have gone through the same thing...so thanks everyone.

Our 2yo slept through the night...and seems alright this morning...just a little more subdued than usual. Our 8yo is keeping some liquids and crackers down. No one else has come down with it...so we're gonna give the MK a try. Getting a late start and gonna just take it easy. Just hope the remaining 3 of us can get through another day before catching it!

 

[BuckeyeBama]

the worse part of the bugs going around is others can get it from you and you have no signs of it. so the one not sick could give it to others. that is how Noro Virus get passed so easily.

That is the reality - people who are not yet symptomatic are the ones spreading this virus, for as much as 48 hours before they become symptomatic. Once you begin vomiting, you generally don't stray far from a bathroom until t passes, and then you are no longer contagious.

If you got this illness while in WDW, you also spread it while in WDW, even if you never set foot outside of your room while feeling poorly.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Sometimes it helps just to hear others have gone through the same thing...so thanks everyone.

Our 2yo slept through the night...and seems alright this morning...just a little more subdued than usual. Our 8yo is keeping some liquids and crackers down. No one else has come down with it...so we're gonna give the MK a try. Getting a late start and gonna just take it easy. Just hope the remaining 3 of us can get through another day before catching it!

 

[jaceraden]

Did they have flu shots this year?

I fail to see how enquiring about their immunization history is of any help whatsoever?!?!?!

I'm so sorry for the poor timing of this bug. What a huge bummer.

 

[ten822]

First...I feel a little petty complaining in light of the boy who got a skull fracture at HS the other day. My prayers are with them and hope he makes a speedy recovery.

We're on day 3/4 in the parks...supposed to fly home first thing Monday morning. We were actually offsite at Legoland today...and the stomach bug hit out 2yo and 8yo. We also have a 5yo...but he's hanging in there for now. As you can imagine...we're pretty torn up about it...and trying to figure out what we're gonna do. Supposed to have another day at the MK tomorrow...but thinking it may not happen.

We purchased a 3-day Magic Your Way package thru a travel agent...so I'm assuming we're unlikely to get any reimbursement for unused tickets tomorrow.

Then of course the next concern is getting home Monday and wondering if we're gonna have to stick around and extra day vomiting in a hotel room. We're flying JetBlue...gotta check and see what their policies are if we have to put the flight off a day or two. We do have travel insurance which covers illness...but I'm assuming it more covers trip interruption or cancellation versus an extended stay. I'm gonna try to call and figure that out.

In any case...if anyone has any suggestions on how to handle this...I'd appreciate it.

Obviously our 2yo couldn't care less. Our 8yo feels to lousy to care. My 5yo seems unphased...probably until he finds out we may not be able to do MK tomorrow. I'm in a panic just hoping we can get home. And of course my wife is just devastated and I don't think there's anything I can do to say to fix that. Frustrating that this is our first Disney vaca with the kids...and likely to be the last for awhile.

Silver lining is we got to most of our MK must sees yesterday. But that's not much consolation right now.

Just reading this is bringing back bad memories..... At least one person gets a stomach bug on almost every vacation! Out of our last 8 family vacations, only 3 were sick free! You can do little things to prevent but it's really out of your control. Bring Lysol wipes and wipe down doorknobs, remotes, etc... In your room. Also, invest in peppermint oil and bring with you. A good quality oil is young living essential oils. The peppermint always knocks out the bug in a half a day for us. You rub a drop of oil on the bottom of your feet every 30-60 minutes. It's great to knock out fever too!
Sorry part of your vacation was ruined but keep my tips in mind for next trip!

 

[perkinsrose]

Sometimes it helps just to hear others have gone through the same thing...so thanks everyone.

Our 2yo slept through the night...and seems alright this morning...just a little more subdued than usual. Our 8yo is keeping some liquids and crackers down. No one else has come down with it...so we're gonna give the MK a try. Getting a late start and gonna just take it easy. Just hope the remaining 3 of us can get through another day before catching it!

Yes been there and there is hope!

A few years ago DD caught something--no one else did. She had vomitting and no other symptoms. She was better within 12 hours but it was a anxious day of wondering when it was time to go in for IV fluids. (We did not--eventually she was able to keep fluids down.) Good luck!

 

[anniemae]

Hope everyone is on the mend. I always worry about this when traveling, especially to an area where there are so many people & germs. We try to wipe down the room with wipes, wash hands a lot, use gel throughout the day since you are touching so many surfaces, like the rides, railings, etc. that so many others are touching. sometimes you just can't avoid it though, who knows they may have had it before even leaving for vacation. I think there is an incubation period or something.

I would let housekeeping know when you leave so they can clean the room and wash the bedspreads etc. I would hate to have the room next if it was not cleaned good. A friend of mine went to DW and the kids got lice right before leaving for home, she thinks from trying on hats in a store Anyway they treated with drug store stuff, I asked if she told housekeeping so they could wash everything like pillows, bedspreads (I don't think they normally wash those things) and it did not occur to her to mention it. Now whenever I go to a hotel, I always wonder about the family who had the room before us!

Good thoughts coming your way for a healthy day!

 

[nkereina]

So sorry OP! Hoping for a speedy recovery and that the rest of you can avoid it.

I contracted the stomach bug while in Miami a few years ago during the night before we were supposed to fly home the next morning. I was traveling with family including my aunt, who is a travel agent. She had told me that the airline would not permit me to fly if I was visibly ill (similar to people who can't fly if they are visibly drunk) because it would be hazardous to other passengers. Not to mention, I couldn't fathom going in public in that condition anyhow. I had family in Naples who drove over and picked me up, and I extended my vacation with them a few days and had my flight changed to fly out of Fort Meyers a few days later. I was lucky.

My point was that if its true airlines have policies in place to prohibit sick passengers from boarding and contaminating that recycled plane air, then it may be easier to change to a hotel near the airport so you are close by and ready for whenever you can get your flight changed to. Some travel insurances, depending on who you went with, will assist with change fees and charges incurred due to extending your stay.

Good luck and feel better soon

 

[matt1979]

Survived the day...even in the heat! 2 sick ones were mostly tired...but were feeling much better by the end of the day. If we can just get through the next 14 hours without it hitting anyone else we will be back home.

 

[ddixon1]

That's not how this virus works. Unless the child was still vomiting, this child was no longer contagious.

Some fact checking:

Norovirus. With norovirus — the most common cause of viral gastroenteritis in adults — you're contagious from the moment you begin to feel ill. Symptoms appear within one to three days of exposure. Although you typically feel better after a day or two, you're contagious for at least three days after you've recovered. Some people may be contagious for up to two weeks after recovery. Also, children are often contagious for a longer period than are adults.

Rotavirus. Symptoms of rotavirus — the leading cause of viral gastroenteritis in infants and young children — appear one to two days after exposure. But you're contagious even before you develop symptoms, and you typically remain contagious for two weeks after you've recovered. Children are often contagious for a longer period than are adults.

 

[StEpHandMiKe<3Disney]

Sorry to hear that. I've been sick at Disney and it is no fun. On your post you mentioned a little boy suffered a skull fracture? I didn't hear anything about that. What happened?

 

[lizzytizzy]

Sorry to hear that. I've been sick at Disney and it is no fun. On your post you mentioned a little boy suffered a skull fracture? I didn't hear anything about that. What happened?

Here's the thread:http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3229497&highlight=rain