The RV- A High-Risk Workplace Environment?
August 14, 2007 | by brett | Permalink
For the second year in a row, a Pursue the Passion team member has been diagnosed with an infection not typically found in young adults.
You may remember Case 1. Kristy Sather came along for a week on the 2006 Pursue the Passion Tour, riding from Tucson, Arizona to Santa Rosa, California. Upon arrival in her hometown, she checked into a hospital after feeling something was wrong. She would spend a week in the ICU after finding she had Septicemia, a rare, serious life-threatening infection in her kidney. Needless to say, it was a very scary week.
Case 2 is Noah Pollock, who has been our journalist for the last month. A few days ago Noah found out that he has Shingles, which typically targets adults 50 years and older. Shingles is an infection caused by the varicella zoster virus, the same infection that causes chicken pox. Causes of Shingles include a stressful environment, depression of the immune system from sunburn, and multiple changes in climate…all things we’ve experienced in our life on the road.
So we have two rare cases, both coming on back to back years of living in a RV for extended periods of time. Is this just some coincidence, or do working in cramped quarters and living in dorm-like conditions have something to do with it?
Weird.
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THERE ARE 12 RESPONSES TO THIS INTERVIEW
University Update - Shingles - The RV- A High-Risk Workplace Environment? Says:
August 14th, 2007
[…] Nile Virus Contact the Webmaster Link to Article shingles The RV- A High-Risk Workplace Environment? » Posted at Pursue the Passion: […]
Steve Says:
August 15th, 2007
I’m so sosrry to read that about Noah. I hope you guys remember to pace yourselves and take it easy.
fred elvin Says:
August 15th, 2007
There may be other bits of data missing.
I lived in a 27 ft Travco for three years, back in the ’70’s,
I was working as a construction laborer, I did not have any other place to stay, it also served as my transportation, with no ill effects.
And the manufacture used the unmentionable insulation of that time.
The only illness I experienced was :cabin fever”.
Tom Says:
August 15th, 2007
What a bull story! Kristy rides along for a week, Noah a month, who is in the rv for years? Study the old folks who really live in their motorhomes for years, traveling all over.
Remember college time? How many are living in small, crowded dorms for several months.
brett Says:
August 15th, 2007
I’m just stating the facts Tom. Just a weird coincidence maybe…
Kelly G Says:
August 15th, 2007
I will sending Noah Postive Thoughts Pronto (PTP)! Please take time to rest Noah . . . . maybe that 14 hour stretch driving to Mt Rushmore!
Ernest Burnham Says:
August 15th, 2007
I have been living fulltime in an RV of one type or another since January of 96. So far I don’t show any sign of ill effects from doing so.
roland (service manager) Says:
August 15th, 2007
i dont think living in a rv has anything to do with your illnesses, I lived in a rv for over 5 years full time rving, I learned that personal hygene is a top priority when rving , because you are in a rv not in a house, youve got to use different kinds of chemicals when cleaning and maintaining a rv. I hope you folks recover but i feel you got into something you shouldnt have to become ill. Further more I disagree that people over fifty are the only ones to get the shingles fact is anyone whos ever had the chicken pox can get the shingles.
brett Says:
August 15th, 2007
I had no idea this many people had opinions about shingles and RV living…
Zach Says:
August 15th, 2007
Everyone I have ever known who got the shingles, got it from an RV. I’m pretty sure it’s the only way you can get it.
kristy Says:
August 16th, 2007
wow… im famous?!!! who knew that noah and i would be the sickies? i hope noah is feeling better- make sure he takes care of himself, he might need some time off boss 
…. and who knew rv hygiene is a debated issue for so many people?!!! im shocked at some of these comments, i have to giggle. i sadly realized that i did not represent maggie well. that poor rv, what a beauty.
xoxo
Kevin M Says:
August 17th, 2007
I thought shingles was like AIDS in that only gay people got it.
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