Traveling can come with a lot of surprises—especially in your stomach.
When you leave home, you’re more likely to encounter unfamiliar food and, more importantly, unfamiliar bacteria. This can result in a host of medical issues; for example, between 40 and 60% of travelers report occasional bouts of traveler’s diarrhea.
Thankfully, many of these cases resolve without issue. That said, some end poorly—and now, one woman on TikTok is recounting her own experience dealing with what sounds like Norovirus, also known as Norwalk virus.
What Went Wrong On This Vacation?
Across two videos, TikTok user Jenny Jahn-Hudec (@jennysepickitchen) shows herself in a room in the Riu Palace Peninsula in Cancun, Mexico.
According to Jahn-Hudec, she had visited the hotel with her husband and 15-year-old son. However, the room’s design was a bit awkward, meaning everyone’s privacy was a bit limited. In response, Jahn-Hudec asked if the family could switch rooms to a room that’s “more family-friendly.” A staff member told them they could, but that they would need to check out from their current room at noon, then get their new keys and check into their new room at 3pm. The family agreed.
The day of the room switch, Jahn-Hudec said the family went to the lunch buffet. Soon, she started to feel ill.
“That wasn’t abnormal for me because I’m on a new medication and it gives me kind of morning sickness,” she explains. “So I, you know, just thought eating will help.”
While Jahn-Hudec tentatively munched on some stomach-friendly snacks, her husband went to sit on the beach.
After he left, Jahn-Hudec says she “felt this giant swoop come over me— like that swoop when you’re on the downs of a roller coaster, and my stomach just dropped.”
What Happened Next?
Thinking the problem might be blood sugar-related, Jahn-Hudec had some juice. She also called her husband back, who encouraged her to visit the bathroom. She did—at which point things got a bit gross.
“I’m wearing a one-piece, and I wrestle it down, and it wasn’t—I barely just made it, and it shoots out. Like, it was crazy,” she says of her bathroom experience. “I made it, but about 30 seconds later—I don’t know what happened—and I’m covered in vomit.”
“I’m in this public bathroom in a restaurant with vomit all down my front in the stall, and then I turn my head and it projectiles onto the wall and down to the floor,” she continues. “So now, I’ve got it all down my front, all down my skirt, it’s all over the floor, and I’m also covered in like a thick layer of just sweat—so much so that, I don’t know how, but my glucometer pinged off my arm and hit the floor.”
Jahn-Hudec began to call for help. Eventually, a staff member arrived and provided her with something to drink and hot towels. Her husband managed to bring her some clothes as well. She changed, then, after cleaning up as best she could, headed into her new room.
Things Get Worse
Over the course of the evening, Jahn-Hudec says she repeatedly had to get up to be sick from “both ends.” This carried on for days.
“I definitely spent Tuesday and Wednesday pretty much in bed and not able to eat anything. I was so queasy,” she states.
By Thursday, Jahn-Hudec’s 15-year-old son started to feel “queasy.” This eventually turned into him “vomit[ing] all over the sink … just roaring into the sink.” While the teenager recovered quickly, the following day, Jahn-Hudec’s husband, too, began vomiting.
“That was our vacation,” Jahn-Hudec summarizes.
What Happened Here?
In the comments section, many users speculated that Jahn-Hudec and her family fell victim to Norovirus. This is also sometimes called “Norwalk virus.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, norovirus can be contracted through eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water. One can also get infected if they touch their mouth after touching a contaminated surface, or by being in close contact with someone who has a norovirus infection.
As noted by the CDC, it’s easier to get Norovirus at a place where many people live or congregate in close quarters. This is why it’s common in hotels. Additionally, while it can come from food prepared in unsanitary conditions, it can also come from contaminated water—meaning anyone who has drunk untreated water or eaten food washed in the water is at risk of infection.
Usually, people with Norovirus have symptoms within 12 to 48 hours. These symptoms tend to subside after one to three days, typically without medical intervention. That said, children or people with other medical conditions may want to seek medical assistance if they show signs of Norovirus.
Commenters Have Stories
In the comments section, users shared their own stories of travel illness.
“Sounds like you had the Norwalk virus. That happened to me on a Florida trip. My husband caught it on the plane and he started throwing up on day two on the golf course,” recalled a user. “I got it from him and it ruined my trip. It was awful. I couldn’t eat or drink anything.”
“Was so very sick at a RIU in playacar in Feb. been going for 20 years. I’m done, never again. I thought I might die,” stated another.
“Definitely sounds like norwalk virus, hit me so bad in november, then my partner, then my partners mom. worst thing everr!!” exclaimed a further TikToker.
@jennysepickitchen I’m still nauseous 🤢 #riu
BroBible reached out to Riu via email and Jahn-Hudec via Instagram direct message and comment.