Really Scared - Think I Was Exposed

[sillygirl]

I came back from lunch a little while ago, and between the double doors coming into the building it really smelled like v*. I of course held my breath and everything coming in and actually didn't think too much about it. But just now I went to get a candy bar from the vending machine and was thinking "I really need to wash my hands first in case there was v* on the door handle" and then I started to panic. After I came back from lunch I know I touched my face and blew my nose and stuff without washing my hands. Do you think I will get sick? I didn't see any v* between the doors, it just smelled like it. Help! I am really freaking out!

[lewisr]

I'm in the midst of my own freak out right now but let me tell you there are a number of things that smell like v*:



- mango

- certain fruit drinks/smoothies

- ammonia to wash the floors

- new paint/plaster/etc.

- certain types of microwave dinners (can't tell you how many times
i've walked into someplace to smell "it" and it's just someone
cooking their, er, lunch)



Could have been MANY things besides V* - besides if you kept your mouth
shut (since you did since you held your breath), odds are you couldn't
have gotten any of the droplets into your
digestive tract.



Please let us know.


Edited by: lewisr

[babygap5]

If you didn't see it, then, chances are, it had been cleaned up. V* smell lingers a long time, especially in an enclosed area with out good ventilation. I'm sure you are going to be ok.

[sillygirl]

I'm not as worried about breathing it as I am having picked up viruses off the door handle or something. This just happened about an hour ago, so I guess the countdown begins!

[jennyleigh1975]

I would think that as long as you blew your nose in a tissue (duh!!!! I known you did) and that when you touched your face you didnt actually put your hand/fingers in your eyes, nose, or mouth ........... that you should be ok. I know you are still scared though, I feel your pain. Keep us posted. Have you found out if someone did actually v* at work?

[bexcelica]

let me tell you, my dad east this cheese... it smells EXACTLY like v*.
i dont know how he eats it but he loves it. maybe someone was eating
cheese, or there was some in a garbage can around somewhere. it may not
have even been a v* smell. if you didnt touch the v* esp since you
didnt see it, youre just fine.

[lewisr]

let me tell you, my dad east this cheese... it smells EXACTLY like v*.
i dont know how he eats it but he loves it. maybe someone was eating
cheese, or there was some in a garbage can around somewhere. it may not
have even been a v* smell. if you didnt touch the v* esp since you
didnt see it, youre just fine.

YES, cheese, that's what I was forgetting. Cheese can TOTALLY smell
like v*. For fromage-o-philes, "stinky" is one of the most sought-after
categories.



The odds of it being v* and half of the office not talking about it
"ugh, so and so v* in the dining room" are minimal, I would think.

[sillygirl]

Yes, I did use a tissue - but this is going to sound weird - I had an itch in my nose so I scratched it - with the tissue of course - but what if the tissue didn't block the germs from my finger?


There are about 200-250 people in this building, so I'm not sure I would know if anyone v*. It was between the two sets of doors, so I am not sure it could have been a food smell. People don't usually eat in between the doors, you know? It did smell kind of bad in the break room though, too, which is close to the doors. Do you think the smell could have wafted from the breakroom and got trapped between the doors (if it was from food, I mean?) I've never really smelled this smell at work before, so if it was some sort of cleaning supply it must be something new. The smell wasn't there an hour earlier when I left for lunch!


I walked back in the doors with two of my co-workers - neither of which made any comment as to the smell. You would think one of them would have pointed out that it smells like v*, wouldn't they? Two young guys who at the time were discussing things that are not masculine enough for men to wear? I don't think they would be too shy to point out the smell of v*!

[murphy]

I am sure you are fine sillygirl. I always smell something that smells like v* because there are so many things. I know what you mean though because I really get angry at myself if I forget to use my Purell before I eat or touch my face.. I touch little children ALL Day Long. The chances that you exposed your self are probably none. Try to go keep yourself busy right now. It helps. Murphy Edited by: murphy

[sillygirl]

Well, I'm about to leave work and have to walk back through those doors. I hope the smell is gone! I am going to Purell my hands as soon as I'm out the door!

[jptk]

if it was a v... smell, chances are that its not contagious. Maybe someone ate something that didnt agree with them etc. or someone did a bit too much boozin the night before! I know this dosnt help, but usually if someones sick in work, its for some food related reason

[helgio]

Hersheys kisses smells just like v* to me! I hate it! [img]smileys/smilies_07.gif[/img]

[kel12347]

Also, keep in mind that some emets imagine other smells to be v*, or imagine the v* smell altogether. A couple weeks ago, I smelled v* in my house and freaked. My b/f was in the bedroom taking a nap, and I thought he had been sick. I left, hysterical, and went to a hotel (in my pajamas, no less). Turns out my b/f was fine. It's kinda funny now, but the emet mind can play some nasty tricks on you.

[samara's on tv]

I know that sometimes food can smell like V* just like everyone who already said that. I remember being at work once and thinking I smelled V* but as it turns out it was just someone making pizza in the microwave. If It's already been cleaned up you should be fine but I don't think it's from a virus...like everyone already said maybe food didn't agree with this person.


~Monica

[sillygirl]

It didn't smell at all when I left. Maybe someone had just made some stinky food right before I got there and took it outside to eat. You would think that if someone had v* there - and it had already been cleaned up - you would probably smell cleaning solution over anything!

[bexcelica]

sillygirl, look you just rationalized the situation thats awesome, good job girl

[japa]

I think that it is highly doubtful that you smelled vomit for all of the reasons that everyone else has already stated.