Dental assistant had SV! Am I DOOMED!?!?!

[lewisr]

The cherry on top of my already awful emetophobic morning (dental
impressions!) is that the assistant told me her whole family had a SV
this weekend and her daughter is home sick with it now. She said she
was nauseous and felt hung over but didn't actually v* (don't ask how I
asked her all this without looking like a complete freak of nature.)
She said she is feeling fine but her daughter is sick. But good lord
this woman was in my mouth for 3 hours! What good is hand-washing now??



Am I doomed to catch this? What do I do? In my mouth all morning! This is the scariest ever!



Thank you,

Lewis

[yenn]

Her hands were in your mouth. I'm assuming she wore gloves, and also dental staff and anyone who works in that field know how important it is to wash their hands properly so I'm sure you're not at risk. You can't it from her speaking/air particles, that only happens if you're around the actual v* and even then there is only a slim chance that the bacteria become airborne and contagious. I'd also guess that she wore one of those little masks over her mouth, so I think you'll be fine Lewis.

[lewisr]

Her hands were in your mouth. I'm assuming she wore
gloves, and also dental staff and anyone who works in that field know
how important it is to wash their hands properly so I'm sure you're not
at risk. You can't it from her speaking/air particles, that only
happens if you're around the actual v* and even then there is only a
slim chance that the bacteria become airborne and contagious. I'd
also guess that she wore one of those little masks over her mouth, so I
think you'll be fine Lewis.

Yenn, thank you for your quick response. Indeed she wore gloves, and
she wore her mask most (but not all) of the time. So even if she still
had some of her daughter's germs on her, there's no way I could have
gotten it from her unless she physically v* near me (sorry) ?



Thanks again,

Lewis

Edited by: lewisr

[yenn]

Yes I've read many times on sites about the dreaded v* that doctors believe the particles are only airborne once ejected from the body via actually v*ing. Even then, they're not entirely sure that this is the case and you'd probably have to be in close contact with it, ie cleaning it up to be at a significant risk.

[lewisr]

So you guys don't think I need to take any prophelactic treatment like
lots of pepto or something? Yenn what you have said makes total and
complete sense - on a logical level. But I am panicking about this on a
fearful and emotitional level.



I am just so scared and I am sure the adrenaline in the shots they gave
me is NOT helping my panic response but I am just so freaking convinced
that I am going to v* over the next couple of days.



I need more reassurance... I am so sorry.....



Lewis

[SimplyMe]

Grrr I just had a response typed out and the computer freaked. Anyhow what I had written was that I agree 100% w/ Yenn. You're going to be fine. Like you said it's hard to stay on the logical level when you hear sv* but as someone not in the situation I can rationally say you are OK. She had a mask (even if only part of the time) and she wore gloves. Plus she didnt' actually v* from it right? So assuming she isn't an emet who would fight it, she would be more likely to v* than you would from it and she didn't. But that isn't even an issue. Try to keep yourself busy the next couple days so you dont' focus so much on your appt. today. Also if you mentally will feel better taking some Pepto before bed or something than I say do it even tho you won't need it, if it helps you feel safer so be it. I just wouldnt' make a habit of it. I hope this helps and remember we are all here for you should you start to worry about it. I think once the shot they gave you wears off you should be able to feel a bit better. Just try and keep the logic in, as much as you can.

[lewisr]

SimplyMe, thank you for writing (and I am sorry you lost your note the first time!)



I actually asked her if she v* (good lord I am so embarrassed) and she
said no, though at the time she felt like she might- but the next day
she slept all day long, woke up at 6pm and felt fine. But now her
daughter is home with it (I didn't have the heart to ask if her
daughter actually v*.)



OK so the facts: yes she was wearing gloves and yes she was wearing a
mask most of the time - but what if some of her breath droplets (do i
sound like i need a tin foil hat or what) dropped into my mouth while
she was talking to me in the time during which she didn't have her mask
on?



Heaven help me I sound insane, but I know you guys understand - am I gonna be ok here? No v*?



best,

Lewis

[PhilB]

I think the chance are very slim. You said it yourself, she had gloves on plus a mask. Try not to worry about it.

[2jo2]

Don't worry, I would be thinking EXACTLY the same questions that you're asking. I would venture to say that she probably didn't spread anything to you since she wore gloves and a mask, and didn't have a full blown case of it. I've read that it's spread by v particles after someone is sick and then it's passed on in your stool for a few days after, so the gloves would take care of that. Sorry for the gross imagery.....


I hope you can calm down, but I understand where you're at.


Gosh, why would she mention that!?!?!

[crystalmom]

I would be thinking the same thing. But, again, she was wearing a mask and gloves. Chances are so slim that you could actually catch it.


*YUCK* moment...


A year ago my son actually v*ed on my head and face. [img]smileys/smilies_11.gif[/img] That'll teach me for sleeping with a toddler. Yes, I did get sick....BUT....it happened again (not on my head this time) and I didn't catch it, so..........even with him actually v*ing right beside me, I never caught it. Gloves and mask....you are good!


Crystal


Ps....this time of year, I ALWAYS start taking extra immune boosters. Just in case, plus I get a flu shot, even thought there are no sv flu's in it! Can't hurt!

[ontariogirl]

Lewis she wore gloves and a mask, you won;t get it.

[lewisr]

Good morning everyone,



So I made it through the night. It was rough, I kept waking myself up
unintentionally to see if I was sick or not. I am not n* at the moment,
but I have been unable to eat more than yogurt (soy, of course!) due to
the dental work done yesterday.



I did however wake up with a headache this morning. I am now 20.5 hours post-exposure.



You guys, I've read the incubation period for a sv can be as long as 36 hours! Do I need to sweat out another night???



Happy day,

Lewis

[ontariogirl]

I truly think that you will be fine Lewis. Please try to relax, if you feel that you need to wait it out that will just put more anxiety on you and you will feel like hell.
I must say you did well sitting in that chair, if some one said that to me I would freak out and say gotta go!!
Pat yourself on the back you deserve it!!

[lewisr]

I truly think that you will be
fine Lewis. Please try to relax, if you feel that you need to wait it
out that will just put more anxiety on you and you will feel like hell.

I must say you did well sitting in that chair, if some one said that to me I would freak out and say gotta go!!
Pat yourself on the back you deserve it!!</font>

Thanks, Ontariogirl. I am not exactly sure how I got through it myself,
to be honest with you. I think at that point I was just so relieved
that my impressions were over that I was nearly catatonic.



It's so hard. I am reading on various internet sites that the Norovirus
can have an incubation period of 15-50 hours. That's like another whole
day + a few hours! Do you think the odds are good that if I were to get
this, I probably would know by now? I'm 23 hours post-exposure.



I just don't know what to do other than to drink cranberry juice



Thanks again everyone, you all rock. I would be in much poorer shape without you.



Lewis

[crystalmom]

Seriously doubt that she or her daughter had that Norovirus thing....that is a BRUTAL one...not just a small one v* incident, it's nasty. So, don't worry about that one. Yes, I think incubation of a sv is up to 36 hrs, but as we have all said before, she took all the universal precautions,,,you are goona be fine!


Let us know!


Crystal

[lewisr]

Seriously doubt that she or her daughter had
that Norovirus thing....that is a BRUTAL one...not just a small one v*
incident, it's nasty. So, don't worry about that one. Yes,
I think incubation of a sv is up to 36 hrs, but as we have all said
before, she took all the universal precautions,,,you are goona be
fine!


Let us know!


Crystal

OK finally made myself eat - I am now a little queasy and am feeling some rumbling "down there" - is this the beginning of "it?"



Edit to add: it's exactly 25 hours post exposure... OMG this could really be IT...

Edited by: lewisr

[bexcelica]

no i dont think its it. i think you are worrying yourself sick. she
said she felt hung over - maybe she was hung over. kids get sick all
the time, and parents build up a tolerance to the germs, and dont
hardly get sick as much as the kids. even if she did, she wouldnt have
been at work. if she did go to work sick, i believe that wearing gloves
and a mask is enough to keep you from getting sick. she doesnt want to
get her patients sick! so i wouldnt worry too much, or you might make
yourself sick. this case may just be mind over matter

[lewisr]

no i dont think its it. i think you are worrying yourself sick. she
said she felt hung over - maybe she was hung over. kids get sick all
the time, and parents build up a tolerance to the germs, and dont
hardly get sick as much as the kids. even if she did, she wouldnt have
been at work. if she did go to work sick, i believe that wearing gloves
and a mask is enough to keep you from getting sick. she doesnt want to
get her patients sick! so i wouldnt worry too much, or you might make
yourself sick. this case may just be mind over matter

Thanks bex... I hear what you mean about mind over matter. Right now I
am worried that this is IT - my appetite has gone away, I am queasy and
I am 28 hours, 34 minutes post exposure. Wouldn't this be the exact
time of viral ripeness for this thing to begin?



Or am I just making myself n* from worry and stress? How can I tell the
difference? I want to be prepared for this thing if it is going
to hit me - what do I do?



What I mess i am,

Lewis

[sillygirl]

I'm sure you are making yourself nervous. I do that all the time. When I want to tell the difference between real n* and anxiety I do a couple of tests. One, I relax and try to logically find exactly where my stomach hurts. When it is anxiety, I realize that when I look for a problem, there really isn't one. The other test I do is the food test. If any food sounds good to me - even though I am not hungry - if I think "that would taste good" it is probably anxiety.


Also, I have found that when it is real, I usually don't care as much. When I am really sick I feel horrible, and I actually don't really care at that point if I v*. If I am still really nervous about it, again - it is usually anxiety.


I hope this helps! I think it is different for everyone, but I really think yours is probably anxiety induced. Try doing something to take your mind off of it. If you start to feel better, it's anxiety!

[bexcelica]

now would be the time. i seriously think it is anxiety though dear... the way i think about it is, find the ONE thing, may it be a spouse, a child, pet , place whatever, that makes you feel almost completely at ease. think about that person or thing and really CONCENTRATE. dont think about your stomach or v* or anything, just about that thing. if you stomach ache goes away or lessens, its anxiety. if it doent, either your no concentrating enough, or its not anxiety. (if it doent lessen, chances are you couldnt relax - so if you try that and you dont get less of a belly ache, dont freak out ) i think you are fine though. try what sillygirl said and try what i said, and let us know how it goes. if you do by chance get sick, we'll be here to talk to you through it all. so no matter what you wont be alone, but i doubt your sick. sorry now im rambling.

[snowangel]

Lewisr.
Although you situation sounds completely horrifying, I think you will be okay.

Even though you are 25 hours into incubation, generally you should have started feeling sick by now.

I hope you are okay. That grumbling is not V*** do not worry! I bet it's bad nerves and a combination of you not eating because you have been so scared. Your body needs food.

And if you will get sick (which I doubt) do not worry....You will live through it and will be stronger for it.

My msn is [email protected] and I am here if you want to talk

[ontariogirl]

Lewis you are making yourself sick with worry. I wish I had a crystal ball and let you see that you will be fine. Knowing myself I would be worrying to but listen to us, you will be fine. When my son was puking the other day my stomach was feeling blah and I thought here we go I've got it, all it was Lewis was nerves. Please try to relax.

[lewisr]

Thank you everyone for sticking with me here. I just had some light
dinner because I think I was feeling hungry. I am now 31 hours 30
minutes post exposure. My biggest fear is going to sleep and making it
through the night without v* and waking up without a sv. You all think
that if this were gonna happen, it would have by now?



This has been a very difficult day but you all have helped me get
through it. Now I just need to get through the night and morning....
which I am still extremely stressed about.



Should I be safe yet?



Thanks everyone,

Lewis

[japa]

Safe!

[chicajojobe]

Your stomach grumbing does not mean that you're going to be sick. I worry about that too, but I also have to remind myself that it pretty much happens everyday after every meal. It's just the sound of gas and water and food moving around in your stomach and intestines as they work to digest what you've eaten.

[angel13]

Lewis, you're going to be just fine! ^_^ Dentists are very hygienic, they have to be, its their job. No germs would survive in those clinics, everything is sterilized, and they all use antiseptic soap before doing anything. I think if she was back at work, she would have been pretty much over it anyway, so the possibility of her passing it on in any way would be extremely small.


I know how you feel though, its so easy to get anxious when you're in close quarters with someone who has had an SV, or has v*d recently, so I don't blame you for being a bit nervous! But I can assure you, you have nothing to worry about. You're only feeling queasy because this has occupied your mind for the past 30 odd hours, and thats a long time to be worrying about something...so its just your nerves. I think you're right - you would most certainly know by now if you had caught it - you'd feel totally rotten[img]smileys/smilies_11.gif[/img]By the sounds of it, you're absolutely fine, just a little worried and nervous! Thats what I would blame your loss of appetite on, too (I lost mine today as well, worrying about something silly...but I just reminded myself that it was my emetophobia paying a visit, and tried to think of other things).


Don't stress about getting through the night, just try to relax. Just go to bed as per usual, and let your mind drift to nicer things. I bet you anything you like you'll wake up the next morning refreshed, and perfectly ok. A good night's sleep cures all sorts of worries...you'll probably have forgotten all about it when you wake up!


Hope this is reassuring. You'll be right as rain, Lewis, just don't worry about it.


~Angel

[ontariogirl]

Safe[img]smileys/smilies_01.gif[/img]

[shiva]

Lewis, Just try to remember that the stress you are putting on yourself worrying about whether or not you will get sick is probably only making you more succeptable toward sickness. Stress is not good on your immune system and you need yours right now to fight off anything you may have come into contact with. Please just try to relax and really try not to think about it. If you begin to ask yourself "what if?" then respond to yourself "so what?" and lie toyourself. Pretend you don't care. I am pretty darn sure you are going to be fine, just try extra hard to relax. You need your rest, I am so sorry you are waking up throughout the night checking on yourself. I know emet is hard and all of my advice seems trite, but you will be okay.

[lewisr]

Hi everyone,



Well I'm now nearly 44 hours post-exposure and (knock on wood) so far
so good. Thank you all for being there with me throughout this. I am
not saying I am all better, because I fear that I will never be "all
better" as long as there is such a thing as V*ing in the world...



This little experience has forced me to evaluate things on a deeper
level. As you can probably tell, I am a bit of a hypochondriac too.
I've had things under control for a while, but for the past 9-10 months
I've been a complete wreck - worse than ever. Worse even than when I
was a pre-teenager, when I believed my OCD to be at its worst.



I feel as though I am losing my mind. Things that I know are impossible
(white spot on the tip of my tongue = oral cancer?? I am 27 years old,
the odds are infintessimal and I was just at the dentist 44 hours ago
and she didn't say anything but I am CONVINCED I have tongue cancer)..
things that I know are impossible or at the very least, implausable,
are seeming SO real. I am not a stupid person, nor do I think a naive
one, but these things that I KNOW don't make sense in the real world
seem oh-so-real in my mind. It's like I can't separate fact from fear
anymore.



Today is going to be hard because in addition to this tongue thing I
just noticed (it was there last week, then went away, now it seems to
be back again), my wife is on business travel through the weekend and
my mom is away out of cell phone range.



And now that I've completely taken my post outside the scope of this board [img]smileys/smilies_01.gif[/img], I will apologize and move on.



Thank you all,

Lewis

[lewisr]

I know emet is hard and all of my advice seems trite, but you will be okay.

Shiva your advice seems anything BUT trite - it's what is getting me through all of this. Thank you again.