Warning for current travelers about virus

First off, please understand, I am not posting this to cause a panic. Viruses can spread anywhere, much as the flu has been spreading like wildfire here in the states. I'm posting this simply for those who are about to travel to Negril and might want to take a add a few items to their travel bags.

I was in Negril from Dec. 21-Jan. 2nd. My best friend joined me during the dates of Dec. 25-Dec. 30th, to help celebrate my birthday. Although we spent the first 3 days together constantly, she had her own room at our hotel.

My friend got violently ill with a virus and ended up in the hospital on her arrival back in the U.S. I had also met a group of people from Iowa (the group totaled 15 people) and half of their group got extremely ill, also, with vomiting and diarrhea. I had heard when I first got to Negril that a virus was going around and, unfortunately, I saw the results in person. I was one of the lucky ones that, for whatever reason, never got sick. As I said, about 8 people that I had befriended did.

My advice is that if you are traveling to Negril soon, you might want to take anti-nausea medicine and anti-diarrhea medicine...just in case. It's small to pack and could save you from possibly a terribly uncomfortable plane flight back or from ruining part of your trip. The virus had pretty severe symptoms, but for most of those that got it, the symptoms only lasted about 2 days. But still...precautions are never a bad thing.

Once again, please don't accuse me of trying to cause a panic. Viruses happen. But since I know there was one hitting people in Negril during the end of Dec/early Jan, I just want to put the word out there for those who might be packing now or soon. Just a thought. As I said, I got very lucky and didn't catch it, but I saw the misery it brought to those who weren't so lucky.

Guess we were all lucky not to get this!

Thanks for the warning! I will pack the extra meds.

I can't tell you how much I'm counting my blessings! I felt so bad watching those around me getting sick when I felt fine! Luck of the Irish, I guess.

Sounds like flu up here in Wisconsin.

Caughtoo came down with it here in Wisconsin.
Sucks
Glad I didn't get it.

mavmaiden, we have been so lucky in Texas with the weather so far this "Winter", but as Marsa Tomei said in the great
flick My Cousin Vinny, "You are dead on balls accurate"...

In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
have proclaimed that the Flu is widespread in 41 states. Here is the article link from CNN... http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/09/health...ml?hpt=hp_bn12 That said, there are some basic tips to help potentially not spread the flu or catch it...1) Get the Flu shot... 2)Wash your hands consistently...3)Cough into your arm/elbow crease instead of your hand...4)If you have a fever you are super infectious for the 1st 24 hours...

Let's hope us lover's of the rock, don't cause issues ...

Skb

In Texas - had the flu last week. Was worse than I remembered.
Hope it's all gone for me and others :-)

Hang in there Coco!!!

The Montreal flu season is in full swing. Hospitals were at capacity.

please dont think your going to get same kind of healthcare in Negril or Jam that you get in the states-Bring some over-the counter meds with you...you can see dr grant -shes excellent-(in hi-lo plaza) but expect a loooog wait..

same virus struck my daughter and myself less than 24 hours after arriving. I was so sick, I considered being airlifted out.
we were determined to stay hydrated and made it thru. I sure missed the comforts of home. that virus ain't nothing to play with!

Thanx,that makes me feel better. I thought it was all my drinking. I was there Dec2-12 and had BuKu stomach junk. I stayed in my great cottage at Xtabi for 24 hours and could not eat or drink or get off the bed.Not even water and had to be by the bowl.It did pass luckily.

wash hands constantly and thoroughly...do not let people breath or cough on you...virus can travel up to three feet in water droplets....and my kids think I'm crazy but you might consider wearing a hospital mask on the plane....that's where I believe people get it...

Really sorry to hear it, Fred. I'm glad it didn't last too long for you. And, NO, you weren't alone and you didn't drink too much (well, the second statement could be argued I suppose, but that's not what caused your symptoms.) :)

I compared this virus to the flu virus simply because of how fast it was spreading. But, as you know, it has very different symptoms than the flu virus. My friend lost several pounds since no food would stay inside her.

With the flu outbreaks happening so strongly in North America this year (its all over the news today on CNN), and with the obvious spread to our Caribbean shores with the increased tourist travel, the local health professionals are becoming very astute at heading off the worst of the symptoms.

Two great local doctors, Dr Grant (957-3770) or Dr Foster (957-9307) are able to see you, but at the first detection of symptoms, a quick trip to any one of the local pharmacies may be advisable (HiLo Plaza, BurgerKing Plaza, Valuemaster Plaza, White Swan Plaza). From all the folks we know who have been effected, the most advised medications and treatments are available over the counter and the pharmacists have become experts in dealing with these early symptoms.

In addition to the common advise of washing hands, not sneezing or coughing on others (or allowing others to do so) - please - no passing the "dutchie pon de lef han side...."

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ann Theresa

wash hands constantly and thoroughly...do not let people breath or cough on you...virus can travel up to three feet in water droplets....and my kids think I'm crazy but you might consider wearing a hospital mask on the plane....that's where I believe people get it...

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i wish i had a mask because the couple sitting next to us were obviously ill. we opted to use common sense and stayed in bed/home 'til we were fever free for 24 hours. having fresh coconut water and a full bottle of motrin was a blessing.

This sounds more like the Norovirus than flu. What ever it is I hope we can avoid it before, during, and after our trip.

that's what i thought initially because the uk has had such a large outbreak of the norovirus this year, but what started with vomiting, diarrhea & horrible joint pain ended with a nasty chest cold, so who knows... we survived!

"Stomach Flu" is not the flu.

It's norovirus or rotavirus, typically. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/gastro/faq.htm

Flu, or influenza is typically fever, body aches, cough, sore thread - not vomiting and diarrhea. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/symptoms.htm

Vaccine, vaccine, vaccine!!! I haven't missed a flu shot in years. They used to be provided through my work at no change. Still don't miss getting one now that I'm retired. The only time I got the flu - & as someone who is seldom sick - I didn't even realize what was going on at first. It was a week before our flu shots were scheduled at work... we were one of the last sites, certainly the last date on the list. Thankfully I was over it by the time the vaccines were given. This variety seems to knock one down fast & hang on longer. My friend who had it (didn't get his flu shot) was really sick for a week & without much energy even longer. So far, so good for me. I got my flu shot early so know I could get hit at the tail end when the effectiveness declines or disappears.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rob

- please - no passing the "dutchie pon de lef han side...."

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I knew Rob would bring back: Back ah Yawd one day.... :)

Sorry for everyones discomfort. Being sick on vacation is the worst.

Like Yvonne said, flu shots help.

VVHT

Couple other tricks for travelling, since airplanes are the worse for recirculating germs and viruses to all exposed passengers:
1) Take some disposable alcohol swabs with you and wipe down all surfaces around your seat, arm rests, tray tables ..... other passengers will look at you like you're paranoid, but it all helps.
2) This is kinda gross but, boogers are your friends when it comes to travelling (your own boogers, that is). Do NOT blow (or pick) your nose before you travel on a plane .... you don't want to have your delicate membranes exposed to viruses - there's a purpose for those boogers :)

I used to get sick each and every time I went to Jamaica (well actually anywhere I went if I traveled by plane), about three days into the trip I would get a bad sore throat and then the stuffy head and cough would come on.. Made for some really miserable plane rides home..

I haven't gotten sick the last three trips though! I started taking Airborne about two weeks before we would leave (nasty stuff!!) and it seems to have helped build up my immune system! Yay!!

Great advice on the alcohol swabs! I'll be sure to have a few in my purse for this coming trip!!

Flu season is every where! Bad air on planes. I carry Clorox wipes & wipe down tray & armrests on plane. I carry hand sanitizer everywhere I go & use it before I eat. Try not to touch your face unless your hands are clean. When I check into my room, I wipe down the phone, remote control, door knobs, lights switches, etc. I do this in the States too! Call me paranoid, but my friend's daughter went into cardiac arrest 2x from the flu & spent 3 months in the hospital. This happened in the US.

Well, remember-wash your hands, don't put them in your mouth, don't touch your nose or eyes with your hands unless you just washed them. Working in a hospital, they tell you-Wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands (includes alcohol hand wash). Also, in the airplane -use some antiseptic wipes and clean your tray before you use it.

Thanks Mav for the warning and all the others for the good advice!!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by NRV

Flu season is every where! Bad air on planes. I carry Clorox wipes & wipe down tray & armrests on plane. I carry hand sanitizer everywhere I go & use it before I eat. Try not to touch your face unless your hands are clean. When I check into my room, I wipe down the phone, remote control, door knobs, lights switches, etc. I do this in the States too! Call me paranoid, but my friend's daughter went into cardiac arrest 2x from the flu & spent 3 months in the hospital. This happened in the US.

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NRV I do the same thing I go as far as spraying my bed chairs etc. with lysol and bring my own pillowcases...you can never be too careful!!! Although I do all this I neva thought to wipe down the trays, armrests etc. on the plane and I always carry my wipes for the restroom...I DEF will be doing a wipe over for my upcoming trip in 4days!!!!:cool:

Rob definitely Thank you for this info...!!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rob

With the flu outbreaks happening so strongly in North America this year (its all over the news today on CNN), and with the obvious spread to our Caribbean shores with the increased tourist travel, the local health professionals are becoming very astute at heading off the worst of the symptoms.

Two great local doctors, Dr Grant (957-3770) or Dr Foster (957-9307) are able to see you, but at the first detection of symptoms, a quick trip to any one of the local pharmacies may be advisable (HiLo Plaza, BurgerKing Plaza, Valuemaster Plaza, White Swan Plaza). From all the folks we know who have been effected, the most advised medications and treatments are available over the counter and the pharmacists have become experts in dealing with these early symptoms.

In addition to the common advise of washing hands, not sneezing or coughing on others (or allowing others to do so) - please - no passing the "dutchie pon de lef han side...."

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by isuee94

"Stomach Flu" is not the flu.

It's norovirus or rotavirus, typically. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/gastro/faq.htm

Flu, or influenza is typically fever, body aches, cough, sore thread - not vomiting and diarrhea. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/symptoms.htm

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thanks for clarifying this...