Illness grumble

[Notsototalnewbie]

I had something that sounded exactly the same back in February, it went round my team at work like wildfire and we all rang in sick one day. As a rule we are a bunch of 'drag yourself in even if you are dying' types here so it was very unusual.

I spent much time bent double and occasionally crying with the pain (couldn't take anything for the pain because nothing would stay put). If it had gone on much longer I would have gone to hospital because the lack of fluids was not good.

I couldn't eat properly for at least a week after the symptoms cleared up, which was most annoying, I just couldn't face food or have an appetite.

[RichForrest]

We've all had some version or other of the Yellow Poo Horror it would seem.

Has anyone informed Kings or the YHA?

They may have a very serious problem.

I've taken a sample to the doc's and will see what it comes back as.
It does seem like Division of Parasitic Diseases - Giardiasis Fact Sheet as this is from contaminated water, though it may be not.

I've also been in contact with Mark (BC org') via PM on here. He has the same and is interested in the results. The helpers who were not at Kings are all ok.
This would seem to point towards the YH as Wow and family got it a week later.

Rich.

[Jezza]

I was going to say - sounds a bit like giardia to me. Pretty unpleasant thing to have. Very common in NZ but I didn't know you got it in the UK.

[juliet]

I'm still a very little bit dodgy 3 weeks (?) post-BC & a week after the bug mostly cleared up.  Seems to be greasy/oily stuff that triggers minor nausea.  Nothing dramatic though & I feel fine now the vast majority of the time.

(Which I assume means there's no point in me going to the doctor?)

(edit: ok, the internets says that in a healthy adult, the body can defeat the infection by itself, usually.  So I'll leave it unless it recurs dramatically.  Interestingly, Wikipedia mentions lactose intolerance as a symptom - which given that I'm probably lactose intolerant *anyway* these days ...)

[geraldc]

I guess accidentally sleeping in bus shelters, and limiting my time at the YH, paid off.

Whilst there I did drink mainly tea so that was safe, bit I filled my bidon from the jugs on the table, I think that was the limit of my exposure to the water.

[Ian H]

On the other hand I was there for nearly six hours, slept, ate, drank, etc., and no ill effects. I filled my bidons from the stop-go tap by the loos.

[Chris N]

On the other hand I was there for nearly six hours, slept, ate, drank, etc., and no ill effects. I filled my bidons from the stop-go tap by the loos.

+1.  At least, I think I'm ok.  I did have a touch of sickness/gutache last week, but I'll put that down to fish and chips (fried in dripping ) and a surfeit of scones and clotted cream.

[Maladict]

In humans, infection is symptomatic only about 50% of the time

Obviously, being somewhat run down post-BCM may increase that rate.

[juliet]

And presumably not everyone exposed to potential infection will actually get infected - depending on the concentration of beasties in the water.

[Wowbagger]

We've all had some version or other of the Yellow Poo Horror it would seem.

Has anyone informed Kings or the YHA?

They may have a very serious problem.

I thought about it but TBH, since the BC and Kings have such an intimate relationship, as an outsider I didn't want to rock any boats. I would have thought the organiser would be the one to make an approach.

[Wowbagger]

I did email Kings and received this response:-

Dear Peter
Thanks for the email. Sorry if you did pick up some kind of bug but I would
have to say we have had no reports from other guests and most stay with us
longer than just the one night as you guys do . Also ths staff , including
myself and my nine month old kids live here and drink the water all the time
and we have been fine . Our water sytem is checked once a month by a
specialist company and they also have reported no problems .
Again , sorry to hear you have not been well and other than that I do hope
you enjoyed your ride .
best Regards
guy

So if anyone else want to email him as well, feel free. kings [at] yha.org

I am still suffering violently atm.