You really have to take it as it comes. If you are sick but can limp on then you want to try and do so. You will, unfortunately have those times when you can't be more than two feet from an unoccupied restroom. When this time comes you let your DM know and personally I would check in at a hotel and take the time to better yourself. Also when you are under the weather you are putting your safety more at risk as your attention is fully on what you are doing.

There are many precautionary things you can do to help minimize this. I personally avoid the buffets and fast food and such and try to stick to more of a healthy diet. Keeping your hands washed all the time and using hand sanitizer also helps minimize the chances of contracting a sickness.

This, in my opinion, is the absolute worst part of being an over the road driver! When you are under the weather or have bathroom issues its very tough to just whip off the interstate to take care of business. Especially when it strikes you during rush hour in LA or something!

Thanks, that's sorta what I thought. Just something some wouldn't think about until it happens.

Been there,more than once.Suck it up and go, all you can do is hope for the best and be prepared for the worst.Tried to keep this post from being too gross.

I got food poisoning once, was unstrapping on a jobsite when it hit me. Got that load off, picked up the next one nearby. I had let the main office know soon as I left the site, still picked up the next one bc it was nearby. Headed for a mutual terminal and dropped it there. I don't know that it would have mattered if I didn't pick up that next load, but I had already committed to doing it. However, heaving up neon green stomach acid at 35 mph (couldn't even get her stopped in time) out the open door will make you reconsider doing anything but laying down next to a pail with a big bottle of water/gatorade. Tell you what: 2 days in the sleeper wondering "if this is what it's like to die, hurry it up!" and I'll never worry about picking up that next load after that. God. Horrible.
Don't be afraid to tell your dispatcher that you're in no condition to work. Sucks as an O/O bc customers really aren't interested in why you can't meet your obligation

Originally Posted by chompi

Keeping your hands washed all the time and using hand sanitizer also helps minimize the chances of contracting a sickness.

Just a cautionary tale: Although hand sanitizer is a really convenient way to go, when I was in CNA class (prep for Nursing, which fell apart on me) they told us it can actually do more harm than good. Recommended method is only to use it once in every 4 times you wash your hands...The other times use soap and water. Oh, and seriously, spend at least 20-30 seconds on the soaping/scrubbing portion alone and rinse well.