Help! DS is sick and I'm scared stupid!!

[youcanttellanybodybut]

Right. I know I'm stupid. But vomiting and tummy bugs scare the bejeezus out of me. I take anti-anxiety meds, which keep the day-to-day crazy away, but DS (4) has just thrown up and is very pale, so I suspect tummy bug. So here are the questions:

• has anyone got some basic coping strategies for sick small people, particularly overnight?
• what do I need to do in terms of cleaning (other than the obvious) to avoid it spreading?
• how do I comfort him when I feel like he's a ticking time bomb with a short fuse?
• how do I get rid of this ridiculous phobia long term?

Can feel myself almost vibrating with nerves...

Anyone able to help?
-

[AmritR212]

Okay. Have you any hand gel? Comfort ds and just clean up around him as best you can. Make sure you have a bucket or basin near so he can aim in there.
Open a window. Gets some water next to you and cuddle the little one x
Keep an eye on him just in case you need to call the dr or take him to be seen by a dr.
Just cuddles and hugs.
If I was poorly that's what I'd want.
Most important thing though keep an eye on him if any doubt call a professional or take him to be seen.
Does that help?
Overall don't be nervous or show your nerves.

[Goodfood1]

I normally lay some big bath towels know the bedding under mine, save having to change the bedding during the night. Then everything pp said. Don't worry it's quite normal. Hugs to you too, sounds like a long night.

[youcanttellanybodybut]

Thank you. DH has led the clear up and is now sleeping again, but I'm on nightwatch as not at work tomorrow, so trying to develop logical strategies to get me through.

He's not seriously poorly - just a stomach bug, I think - but my brain catastrophises vomit. I have the hand gel/bucket/water and am sleeping on DS spare mattress (he's gone back to sleep too) and am doing my best 'everything is fine' when necessary. Intellectually I know this is true, but someone needs to tell my adrenaline that...

He's very rarely poorly - hasn't been for a couple of years - so I'm lucky, I suppose...

[CouldIHaveIt]

I'm sorry it affects you like this, it must be awful.

You're doing all you can for tonight, try to get some sleep. Deal with the long term 'fixing' tomorrow.

[INeedNewShoes]

I'm emetophobic too.

I have had the misfortune of babysitting my niece and nephew (on separate occasions) when they were vomiting with a bug.

My nephew was only about 12 months so there was no point furnishing him with a bucket. I laid towels down all over the floor, almost like a playmat (but washable) and threw them in the wash as they got dirty.

With my niece (6-yr-old) I sat next to her in her parents' bed (also covered bedding and adjacent floor with towels) which she slept, holding a bucket ready to position for every throw-up.

Both situations started off with me having raised heartbeat etc. at the horror but once I had a plan in place (thanks to the advice of my SIL!) I was able to relax and just be there to comfort them and clean them up.

It is horrid. But he'll be fine, and you will be fine too

[Adarajames]

Handgel doesn't work for norovirus though, so plenty of hot water and soap hand washing too

[Batmansunderpants]

We are on day 8 of rotavirus here. Towels underneath him especially his head. Lots of spares near by. Easier to change than bed linen. Less disruption to child. Spare pjs etc. nothing worse than running around looking for things when child is upset. Keep a bucket handy. If projectile vomiting, consider jumping in the shower to clean up.

If runny poo consider nappies. Mine was pooing more than 3 times per hour and without being able to control bowels. I went back to pull ups on day 3. Wish I did it sooner.

Wash hands after every spew or poo.

Keep up fluids, don't worry too much if not hungry. I also set up a fold out bed in the lounge and slept there so I could keep an eye on mine. I found it meant I could respond quicker, I wasn't worrying and could get some sleep.

[Batmansunderpants]

I also rinsed then hotwashed anything that got soiled or vomited on.

[youcanttellanybodybut]

You are all fabulous and extremely helpful. Thank you for not just telling me to pull myself together, which is what I probably need to do!

[P1nkP0ppy]

Don't forget to encourage him to have sips of water or flat cola (which replaces the electrolytes) . You can also buy Dioralyte which will rehydrate him.
Hopefully it's only a 24/48 hour bug, which is plenty long enough when. you're coping with it!

[WellErrr]

Hope you're ok

I'm emetophobic too.

I'd put towels from the child to the bathroom, and have the loo seat up in readiness.

Don't bother with hand gels, only bleach kills sickness bugs. Hand gel will just spread it around. You need to THOROUGHLY wash your hands with hot water and soap, and clean the bathroom and door handles/light switch with bleach spray.

Hope he's feeling better soon

[pklme]

Use antibacterial spray on all handles, taps, leave for a min before wiping off. wipe light switches with spray on a cloth.

[WellErrr]

Antibacterial spray doesn't kill norovirus - needs to be bleach.

[youcanttellanybodybut]

Thanks all.

He's gone nine hours since he threw up - just risking him eating a piece of toast. How likely is it that he's done?

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

impossible to tell, but at that age they do often vomit just the once.

I'm pretty emetophobic, but I'd say that I'm much much better than I was. In part by having a strategy in my head rather like a flow chart as to what to do for every scenario. You could write one down. So that when it happened I could just follow my plan. That made it much easier to cope with.

[youcanttellanybodybut]

That's a great idea Kitten - then I don't have to worry about forgetting anything!

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

:) I'm rather a worrier, so I try to use business techniques. When dd started secondary and had to travel without a phone I created a risk assessment complete with mitigation
It settled my nerves hugely.

[youcanttellanybodybut]

Right. There has been no further sick since last night. DS is a little clingy, but has played fine all day. He has had a little nap on me (not like him) and when I ask him if he's okay, he says 'no' but can't tell me why. Am I safe yet???

[user1471448556]

Has he kept any food down? If so, I think he's probably done with the sickness. Might get the squits, though to clear it all out. Keep up with the handwashing and use bleach spray/diluted bleach (deffo not anti-bac ... useless against viruses). Have stopped the spread in our house by vigilant cleaning. I feel the same about vomitting - hate it, but somehow get through these situations.

[youcanttellanybodybut]

Phew. Thank you. Yep, kept down toast, banana, some biscuits and a light tea, so fingers crossed.

Massive, massive thank you all - you'll never understand what a difference you made.

[ChocolateForAll]

Glad he's on the mend. Well done you

[youcanttellanybodybut]

Bugger. He's done it again.

[youcanttellanybodybut]

And I haven't even had time to make my flow chart yet.

[Tiredstressed]

I share your worries about this. I think focus on what you did last night and put it in place again. I have found that the anticipation can be worse than the reality.

[Haggisfish]

Oh poor you. I catastrophise as well. Ds was sick once, then complained his head really hurt and then said the TVs was too bright- -immediate trip to a and e! He was fine though. Dc both has sickness bugs and been fine. It is horrible though. We had lots of towels and night time paw patrol!