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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think visiting a zoo can make you unwell?

59 replies

Yellowc · 16/07/2020 20:13

Stay with me, I appreciate it might sound a bit bonkers.

Last time I went to the zoo in 2017 I came down with a virus the day after and was laid up for a week.

I visited the same zoo this week and as per last time, I'm coming down with a similar thing now.

Is it coincidence?

I'm as sure as can be that it's not covid. I don't have any of those symptoms.

OP posts:
SusieOwl4 · 16/07/2020 20:30

When you say a virus do you mean an allergy ?

LakieLady · 16/07/2020 20:31

I was going to suggest allergy too!

Bit tricky to work out which animal might be triggering it though. Grin

BrokenBrit · 16/07/2020 20:31

Well I guess anywhere that you are in close contact with other humans you can get a virus.
I think that’s far more likely than a zoonotic disease from the zoo animals tbh.

022828MAN · 16/07/2020 20:31

Sounds like an allergy or sensitivity to something, animal hair? Bedding? Plants?

reluctantbrit · 16/07/2020 20:34

We go to zoos or animal parks on a regular basis and never had any issues. DD did some zookeeper experiences and never had issues that she touched things inside an enclosure or even some of the animals.

We went to a zoo two weeks ago and saw the ways they make sure everything is clean, the bins were washed, picnic table cleaned, toilets had cleaning sheets with 1/2 hour rotations on it.

I would think it is a coincidence or you are really unlucky and didn't wash your hands often enough and touched areas other people left germs behind.

I get more illnesses being on public transport from October-March than zoo visits.

labyrinthloafer · 16/07/2020 20:36

Assume an allergy too. Allergies can make you feel really dreadful.

MiddlesexGirl · 16/07/2020 20:37

Part of zoos where theres lots of bedding make me sneeze. And I always come down with a cold after going swimming.
So yes - allergy type stuff quite possible.

Original poster
Yellowc · 16/07/2020 20:40

I don't have any allergies that I'm aware of, other than a spot of hayfever now and then which is very different to how I feel now.

My glands are up and my throat feels tight, I feel really lethargic and no energy to move. This happened last time I went and I was laid up for a week.

I was on the ball wrt hand washing and used every sanitizer dispenser I passed when moving through the zoo.

I also wore a mask on the tube to and from.

It's probably just a coincidence then, and I'm very unlucky Grin

OP posts:
Littlemeadow123 · 16/07/2020 20:41

Tbh I feel a lot better when I am surrounded by animals, albeit I prefer it when they are not in captivity.

It sounds more like an allergy of some sort rather than zoos in general.

Original poster
Yellowc · 16/07/2020 20:43

My glands are up and my throat feels tight, I feel really lethargic and no energy to move. This happened last time I went and I was laid up for a week.

Can an allergy do that to somebody then? ^

I'm intrigued if so!

I suspected perhaps it was from being in the indoor rainforest exhibition where the sloths are within touching distance, steam is fired into the setting to keep the heat up and it's extremely hot.

Not a zoonotic illness persay but germs from the environment?

OP posts:
TheHighestSardine · 16/07/2020 20:46

If you visited this week and it's come up already, it's likely not from the zoo at all. Certainly virus infections generally take a week or more to come to a head - anything coldy 5-10 days.

Original poster
Yellowc · 16/07/2020 20:47

Ah it was Monday we went

Probably a total coincidence then, but given that it happened twice both at different times of year I did wonder Grin

OP posts:
Lonecatwithkitten · 16/07/2020 20:50

My allergies involve swollen glands and scratch sore throat 1 I take anti-histamine it all settles.
Allergy is an inappropriate immune system response, glands can be enlarged with any immune response so yes they can go up with allergy.

BrokenBrit · 16/07/2020 20:52

Hope you feel better soon OP, I know you don’t think it is Covid but don’t be reluctant to get a covid test if you aren’t feeling better tomorrow.
I know sore throat and lethargy aren’t the official symptoms this government require, but they certainly can be covid symptoms and there aren’t generally that many viruses around this time of year, especially not as the population has hardly been mixing in recent months! My friend had Covid and had nothing more than a slight sore throat - such a wide spectrum! Hopefully you will feel bette tomorrow.

MiddleClassProblem · 16/07/2020 20:53

Agree you wouldn’t get sick that quickly. It could be some plant that is for the animals that you wouldn’t usually come across.

Or maybe you’re just allergic to lions 🤣 (Although possible...)

ShoppingBasket · 16/07/2020 20:56

Sounds like what I get when I'm around certain fur. Some dogs don't affect me but others do.

reluctantbrit · 16/07/2020 20:56

That sounds like an allergy. When I have a really bad case of hayfever I do fell like you describe yourselve and if I don't take antihistamines I do feel off for a couple of days.

Difficult to pinpoint with the huge amount of animals in a zoo, it can be anything, a combination of them, the bedding or food.

Original poster
Yellowc · 16/07/2020 20:56

I have some antihistamines so I'll have one and see if it helps, worth a try.

I'd be happy to get a covid test if they're easier to access now. I had something in March that included a loss of taste, tasting nothing but metal, some gastro symptoms and couldn't get a test anywhere.

Similarly my DS with a temp over 40. NHS said he's been put down as a suspected covid case but we couldn't access a test.

How would I go about getting one? I don't drive so couldn't go to any drive through facility

OP posts:
daytripper28 · 16/07/2020 20:57

It's a coincidence.

HTH

Original poster
Yellowc · 16/07/2020 20:58

So an allergy can kick off three days after the contact? Wow I didn't know that either.

Just about to have an antihistamine and I'll let you all know whether it helps

OP posts:
Northernsoullover · 16/07/2020 20:59

Just go online OP. To the government page. I'd definitely rule out Covid-19. It probably not but its still out there Sad

Skysblue · 16/07/2020 20:59

Of course you can. That’s why petting zoos have all those hand wash stations etc. Even if you aren’t having physical contact with the animals, some viruses, as covid shows, are quite nasty airbourne. Also birds mice and insects etc will move between the animals cage and the public areas.

Maybe reflect on whether you touched your face with potentially dirty hands etc

lifesalongsong · 16/07/2020 21:01

I don't have any allergies that I'm aware of, other than a spot of hayfever now and then which is very different to how I feel now

If you had an allergy to say giraffes (or any other zoo animal) you would have no way to know until you went to a zoo. If it has happened twice after going to a zoo an allergy has got to be a possibilty

Littlebelina · 16/07/2020 21:03

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-and-tracing/get-an-antigen-test-to-check-if-you-have-coronavirus/

A sore throat can be a symptom as can general lethargy. Almost certainly not covid but it's easy to get a test now so worth doing

MrsSSG · 16/07/2020 21:05

Sore throat and lethargy are symptoms of Covid. Please do a test, you may have to isolate.