Norovirus ????

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Hey all,

So I'm a nursing student and I was at clinical today taking care of a patient who had vomited and had diarrhea before I arrived. They at first thought it was a bowel obstruction, however when the other patient in the room started vomiting, they started to think it was norovirus (still not yet confirmed). So of course in the morning before the second patient got sick, I did vitals on both of these patients without any PPE and washed my hands with just purell. After that I started wearing gown/gloves/mask, but up until then I had nothing. I have a 6 hour train ride tomorrow to head home for the weekend... chances that I don't get sick and can make it through the train ride??? I need some reassurance (or maybe just some brutal honesty... if that's what it has to be)

Send help :(

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If I was your nursing instructor, I would ask you to think this through. How are viruses that cause gastroenteritis spread? How long might the incubation period be? ha ha

But really, if you used standard precautions you will probably be fine.

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Haha yeah I've been thinking back to whether or not I touched my mouth or face before things got serious.... keeping in mind that I might get sick as early as tonight or as late as Saturday... a wide window

Thank you for your input though. Hoping for the best!

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Specializes in Private Duty Pediatrics.

You think you might have touched your mouth after contact with this patient? This is another of those pesky learning experiences. I'm thinking that you will be more mindful of universal precautions in the future.

I hope you don't get it.

Do you have a Plan B? Plastic bags for sudden vomiting? Is there a way to get off the train if the worst happens?

Are you sure that you want to go home this weekend?

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I doubt I touched my mouth but it's hard to say after the fact! I'll definitely be more cautious in the future haha

I really do want to go home this weekend since my mom is having surgery tomorrow and I want to take care of her. If I'm symptomatic before I leave then I just won't go, but if I'm not yet I'll bring some vomit bags for sure. There are a few stops on the way so worst case I can hop off. Thanks for the idea!

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

If your mom is having surgery and there is any chance you have this, you may want to stay far away from her until you are better. Good luck and I hope it passes you by.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.
10 hours ago, sfeather said:

I really do want to go home this weekend since my mom is having surgery tomorrow and I want to take care of her. If I'm symptomatic before I leave then I just won't go, but if I'm not yet I'll bring some vomit bags for sure. There are a few stops on the way so worst case I can hop off. Thanks for the idea!

Seriously????

You came on here looking for advice because you think you may have caught Norovirus - well done, because you are thinking - but THEN you tell us that you are going home because your mother is having surgery!!!

So not only do YOU possibly have Norovirus but you want to possibly infect your mother post op and also any other staff and patients in the hospital - that is basically what you are saying.

My advice - don't be selfish or stupid, stay at home and stay away from people. If you don't develop symptoms then fine, you can go home. I'm curious how you would feel if your mother developed complications because you infected her.

Sorry this is sounding a bit harsh but you really need to look at your situation.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

This is just not something we can answer. Please check with your healthcare provider

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