Stomach virus spreads through Boston

United Press International ^ | Jan 07, 2003 | United Press International

[GOP_1900AD]

I've got an itch I can't quite scratch! ;)

[GOP_1900AD]

And don't forget, scrub your hands repeatedly, to remove the epidermis, and always reclose and reopen the door at least 2 or 3 times before going on your way! If you can manage it, sporting a good nervous tick is a great idea! ;)

[phroebe]

Actually you are more likely to get sick if you are obsessed with cleanliness. By being exposed to bacteria, you build up resistance to it and are less likely to get ill. Those that are always clean all the time are more susceptible when they are exposed.

Absolutely right, I believe! Last time I had one of these kind of bugs was in 1979, and I've experienced no stomach and/or intestinal problems of any type since then. I'm by no means a "clean freak", have never used an antibacterial soap, don't obsess about public bathroom conditions or touching commonly used items or surfaces, and I work in an environment where people come to work sick a lot (because we're not paid if someone else must substitute for us) and we are frequently in much closer proximity with our co-workers than the distance between typical office desks or cubicles.

The household I grew up in was one where everyone (myself at the time being no exception) would get at least two incidents of either cold, flu or "stomach bug" annually, and for everyone remaining in my family, from what they tell me, this is still pretty much the norm. Only differences between their lives and mine currently seem to be our diets and our responses to minor illnesses/injuries/discomforts when they do occur. They're all big meat eaters, and I, while not a vegetarian, eat fresh fruits and vegetables daily, but have meat only once in ten days or so. Also, for the most part, they're the sort of folks who will go for a pill to alleviate anything from a headache to a sprained toe, and I never use pharmaceutical medicines, not even the over-the-counter ones most typically taken for granted. I find that a cold, for example, on the rare occasion when I get one, lasts a much shorter time without "help" from drugs.

I think there's a lot to be said for keeping one's immune system strong. Mine seems to be stronger than most people's.

[jackbill]

Hopefully it is just practice for a full-blown epidemic during the DemocRAT convention in 2004.

[GOP_1900AD]

As noted by Thomas Sowell, the pursuit of cosmic justice and nearly unthinkable span of levelling has tweaked the brains of most of the sheeple. "Hey, I've got the RIGHT to live the exact same life as the healthy, financially successful, prolific guy next door. I will be pampered growing up, and accomodated at work and in public, no matter how strong or weak my constitution. I will not defer to my uniqueness and turn it into a strength; instead, I will seek uniformity with all others around me while remaining alienated and unthinking. And if norms cannot accomodate me, then they must be adjusted downward to do so... blah, blah, blah" Philistinism has so atomized society that there is no concept of hard knocks; no acceptance of the age old thing my folks always used to tell me "life is not fair, get over it." We're pathetic.

[angry elephant]

Me, too. But in those restrooms that only have the dryer (ARRRRGHHH!!), I use my elbow.

Or sometimes my shirt or sweater is long enough to use on the handle. I try not to touch handrails with my hands, but just rest my elbow a little in case I lose my balance. But even with constant hand washing I was sick on New Year's Eve and New Year's day.

[Morrigan]

You guys want to know a real germ center? I work at a call center, and that place is like a petri dish!!

For starters, we all share computers. We share desks. We share ear and mouth pieces (unless clever, criminal minded people like me steal a pair of brand new pieces and carry them in my bag--heh heh). When I virus hits that place, it will literally take people out in rows. Thankfully, I never really get any bugs, since I wipe down my station with those Clorox wipes before I start work. This Norwalk stuff swept through that place like a tornado about a month ago. But I didn't catch it!

[Yaelle]

That hand dryer stuff is creepy. I didn't know that. I will enter those restrooms with paper napkins or towels now too! Thanks.

[Yaelle]

I swear, my sons will be in their teens and I'll still make them go to the restroom with me when daddy's not around.

I know you think that now. There is no way my 11-yr-old will go into the women's room now, though. It's been a couple of years since he has gone in with me. I try to make sure the men's room is pretty empty and I wait outside the door. He is LOUD and I have put the fear of the psycholooney into him, so I feel pretty safe.

My 5-yr-old stays with me, of course, and so will the mini-freeper on the way, as long as I can manage it.

[Yaelle]

We were unfortunately in the hospital Sunday night (thank G-d my son is OK now, had a bad reaction to a medication), and I was surprised by the number of nurses coughing and sneezing and obviously suffering some kind of cold virus. Gee whiz.