Question for the experts

[mistyeyes]

Does anyone know if there is a way you can tell if a person is v* from something contagious or if it is something like food poisoning or gallstones?


I was just wondering if there was a way to tell the difference. My mom has been sick for two days now. She is no longer v*, but she can only keep down water. Would this be something I could catch from her, or is there no way to tell? She does not have a fever.

[liriodendron]

A couple of disclaimers before I respond...



1.) I've been warned about my forum ettiquette here and my days are
probably numbered because I am "not supportive or productive". But keep
in mind, the following reply is truly from the heart....



2.) I am not an expert. Although I do have 8 or 9 years of research to
my credit, that's all I have. And that doesn't even come close to
making me an expert.



And now for the answer.



The only way to tell is to take the sick person to the doctor, have a
stool test and/or blood test. It's virtually impossible to know
otherwise what the culprit is. Heck, it could have been a skin infection that caused it.


Edited by: liriodendron

[mistyeyes]

Thank you for the reply. I appreciate that you answered as honestly as you could.


What you said is what I thought. I just have family members and my boyfriend trying to assure me that it is not contagious, and the only thing I kept thinking is "How would you know? You are not doctors."

[liriodendron]

Here's where I always go getting myself into trouble but since I know
you're going to worry unless I'm more supportive, suffice it to say, in
many cases where you hear of someone having a scary virus, it's because
they assumed that it wasn't contagious. I'm sure that your heightened
awareness of these issues will play to your advantage and you will not
become ill.



EDIT: I just remembered that I have a friend who had kidney stones and
how it happened for him was he became violently ill with
gastroenteritis and they went to the hospital at which point he was
told about the stones. I suppose that is an instance where it isn't
contagious.






Edited by: liriodendron

[shiva]

I would also like to add that even the most contagious microbes can be destroyed once within our bodies by our immune systems. It is very important for people who want to live healthy lives to eat properly, get good rest, and avoid stress. For the most part none of us here do many of the things that promote good health. Heck, the people who don't wash their hands, but eat properly are more than likely better off than many of us. I say this because I think once we start to respect our physical and mental health, there will not be much room for this phobia to overtake us. Anyone get what I mean?

[mistyeyes]

shiva,


you are so right! Once I hear someone near me is sick, I stop eating, and that CAN'T help my immune system. But my tummy gets so nervous it's hard to swallow without gagging.

[shiva]

Oh trust me, I know what you mean. But, I do believe that it can be worked through. The problem I think for many of us is finding the time to dedicate to getting better. It's a full time job.. seriously.