jtwilshire

On 4/18/2020 at 1:50 PM, babba said:

I also I believe I had COVID-19 back in February ... It wasn't a "thing" then but I had all the symptoms as you describe ... My husband contracted COVID-19 in March (a confirmed case) and even though it is highly contagious I never contracted it during the time of his illness in addition to  the period of two weeks of self isolation ... I was tested once my husband had a confirmed case and I tested negative ... To this day I have stayed well (knock wood) ... so I really believe ... as you do ... that I had it ...  

Interesting that you did not contract from him.... as my wife did not from me.  

9 hours ago, luapishere said:

Funny how you ask if anyone else experienced the same thing as you did, around the same time, on the same ship and (I didn't read ALL posts - I begot tired) many diagnosed you, gave you their medical advice and expertise of the Corona virus.  But, I didn't read a response to your question.

 

My response - yes.

 

I was on the Epic 12/08 - 12/15.

I seldom get sick. 

I had the same symptoms as you - chills, sweats, fatigue and, something I've never had before, when I took a deep breath, I had chest pain.

I checked my records and see that I called in sick January 1st & 2nd.  So, my illness started on December 30th or so and I returned to work January 5th, even though I didn't feel 100% yet.  I was sick a good week.

 

Thanks for your response.... and yes, I think you are the first person that actually had been on the Epic !!  I remember telling my wife while on the cruise that "I never had something like this before"... really sucked having it.  Sorry to hear you experienced something very similar.

54 minutes ago, CroozFanatic said:

I think clearly, once it was anywhere outside China, it was everywhere.

 

Why Northern Italy? It wasn't random. Regular direct flights to Wuhan and 300,000 Chinese, legal and illegal making clothes in Milan....so they carry the Made in Italy label.

 

NYC...again, large Chinese population + (my speculation here) favorable weather and work conditions - cold and dry, indoor shared spaces.

Agree.  Most of the very first cases in the US were travelers from Wuhan area.

21 minutes ago, ksmcdonald said:

Yes, my father was on that cruise.  He had such a bad cough/ respiratory issue he self quarantined himself in his cabin the last few days.  He hesitated going to ships doctor because he didn’t want to be flown off in a third world country like Equador.  He just wanted to get back to the USA.  Of course, we didn’t even think corona virus then, as it was just starting up in the states.    He was so sick when he got home I took him straight to the ER.  He tested negative for the flu, but was hospitalized for almost a week.  
 

Thinking back, didn't  the Joy come from China?  It was moved back to US not long before this cruise.  I’m thinking crew members could of had the COVID 19 and not even know it.  Plus, my dad said there were many Chinese on that cruise. 
 

I’m  sure he had it, although none of us at home got sick after being with him.  My sister and brother did come down with something minor for a day or so after dad got home.  I guess they could of had a mild reaction to it.  Hard to tell.  I would be curious if their is a test he could take to see if he had it previously.  I’m thinking that could make him immune now.  

There were alot of Chinese on our cruise too at the end of December (EPIC - Caribbean)... and not saying that is how I caught my respiratory illness, but makes you wonder.  While I had all of the COVID-19 symptoms, no one around me got sick (that I know of)... which is only reason why I think it may have been something else.

2 hours ago, CroozFanatic said:

 

"The CDC published a report earlier this week that said confirmed COVID-19 cases were traced back to at least 25 cruise ships around the world. "

 

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/27/four-dead-on-carnival-cruise-ship-amid-new-coronavirus-outbreak-aboard.html

 

So, CONFIRMED on 25 ships, reasonable to assume it was on all of the ships by the end.

We were on the Norwegian Epic over Christmas holiday... there were passengers from all over the world including MANY from Asia... and assuming many from New York as well.   I bet 20% of the crew were out sick.  Would definitely believe that COVID-19 could have also been traced back to this ship too.  I started this post.... and I was sick as a dog on that ship, with identical symptoms to CV19.

I know this is a site with many cruise enthusiasts, who have undoubtedly had many great experiences on the ships.  However, when we were on the Norwegian Epic in late December it was very crowded (no surprise - Christmas cruise), and there were people coughing and hacking everywhere... including the buffet lines.  We were told many, many cruise ship employees were sick as well during this time.  I just think when your jamming 4,000- 5,000 people from all over the world into a small space... you're asking for issues.  Case in point with recent ships marooned off shore (Japan, California, New Jersey, etc.).   This was our first "big" ship cruise....probably won't be back.

13 minutes ago, gigito2 said:

What does your PCP say?

I got tested for strep and flu when I got back late December.. both were negative.  I have not contacted my PCP since as I no longer have symptoms.  I'm curious if other cruisers experienced anything similar during same time frame.

Just now, gigito2 said:

What does your PCP say?

I got tested for strep and flu when I got back late December.. both were negative.  I have not contacted my PCP since as I no longer have symptoms.  I'm curious if other cruisers experienced anything similar during same time frame.

No, she did not... and as far as I know, no one else around me has gotten it.

I was on the Epic Caribbean cruise 12-22-19 thru 12-29-19.  During the cruise I developed symptoms very similar to the coronavirus (terrible dry cough, chills & night sweats, fatigue, fever (but low 99-101), loss of appetite).  I also experienced a few episodes where I had trouble taking deep breaths, which is unusual for me as while I am 57 years old... I am in very good physical shape... run marathons, etc.  While on the cruise I told my wife that I had never experienced something like this before... some strange respiratory sickness. I did not have a runny nose or nasal congestion.  When I got back to the US, I got screened for strep and the flu.... both tests came back negative.  I felt better after about 10 days... but it took a good 3 weeks to get rid of the dry cough.  This was a few weeks before any of us heard of the "coronavirus"... which was starting to ramp up in China.   I am writing this in case someone reads this and experienced the same symptoms I did on the Norwegian Epic during similar timeframe.  While not convinced that I had the coronavirus... I do think there is a chance that I did, or had some other related strain.   Curious if there are others out there that experienced similar symptoms while on that cruise.