Children are a disgusting germy hellscape

If your office is anything like mine, as soon as the colder weather kicks in it can be like a doctor's waiting room with people coughing, sneezing and sniffing. Your DC won't seem half as bad by comparison.

OP I share your phobia!
I have had CBT, counselling and edmr therapy but nothing has worked. I’m so open to trying anything I can to get over this as it’s debilitating and SO hard to manage with young children!

you’re absolutely right though! I never expected how I intense the illnesses are in these childhood years! Its absolutely relentless!!!

Sounds like your kids are doing fine with handwashing, that sounds like just the right amount don't worry. Kids (and adults) should definitely wash their hands before eating. 🙂

Tbf to mum. She had flown in feom home country and was trapped staying in plague house

Wouldn’t it be better to concentrate on doing what the therapist told you to do? I bet they didn’t tell you to use more Dettol.

Wipes, hand sanitizer and the Dettol aerosol spray got us through a horrific bug in the last few weeks op, best of luck!

And parasites; don’t forget the parasites!
but they are also super cute (small children, not the parasites!)

That's not really true though. It's the good bacteria and the whole mix of microbes in a healthy gut that helps to train and manage the immune system, not viruses. Many viruses actually suppress the immune system for a good while afterwards, which is why people often get a secondary bacterial infection after they've had a virus.
A healthy balanced diet and vaccinations are the way to actually boost immune systems, not catching viruses.

I agree, I work with kids. It doesn't bother me though. Children spread germs like crazy but that's how they build a strong immune system. Their germy little hands are doing good! Think of it that way.

I’ve worked in Paediatrics for a long time and i agree. I rarely get ill although when i do even ‘just a cold’ hits me like a ton of bricks 😂

Yep, they’re grim. I have emetophobia (sounds like you maybe do too?).
I get the cleaning thing, and the wipes sound like a good idea, but try not to get obsessed with cleaning. I’ve found it best to rationalise it. Ultimately you can’t control whether you will also catch it or not, beyond practicing good hygiene. I find it helps to think of the worst case scenario (which sounds odd I know!) but it helps me rationalise that whilst not pleasant, even if that happens, I will be ok.
For example, yes I might feel rotten, but it will likely pass in 24 hours as it’s a short term bug. I can get through a few hours knowing I’ll feel ok in a day or two. Yes, I might vomit, but that’s just my body getting rid of the bug (it’s actually the bugs way of making sure it multiplys with as many people as it can, but we’ll go with the former!!). You get the gist!

I am still emetophobic (my fear is more around others being sick on me / near me) but I mostly have it under control now. When I’m in those situations I can rationalise it with the worst case scenario being if someone literally threw up right in my lap then I’d still (ultimately) be ok.
Obviously it’s massively unpleasant, but if someone accidentally spilt their drink over me I’d be ok. If someone dropped their plate and spilt their dinner in my lap I’d be ok. So I’ll be ok with this too. It’s just liquid that smells gross. I can remove the clothes, I can take a shower etc - I will be ok.

Not sure if that approach helps you at all, but sending positive thoughts your way & just wanted to let you know that I get how debilitating it can be to have these kind of anxieties. Hope your DC is better soon and you all stay well too.

It's not kids fault, they're stuffed in unventilated nurseries and schools all day with tons of other children so what do you expect. I saw a thread the other day full of posters clutching their pearls in horror at someone suggesting that air filters be put in schools to reduce infections so I suppose most people would rather have constantly sick children.

You sparked memory of my mum with one of mine at the same age. He basically took a bottle then threw it up for about 4 days. Poor mum sat with a giant towel and him on her knee ready to catch the projectile. While dealt with older siblings
Fun times

You’re not wrong, although alot of it is the environment they’re in - nurseries and schools are often poorly ventilated, crowded, with multiple viruses kicking around.

What an onslaught! Get well soon!

Tell me about it. I'm in hospital with pneumonia and have also tested positive for flu, COVID and the common cold. Our twins started reception three weeks ago.

Apparently viruses ordinarily cancel each other out - but not if the little horrors attack your immune system with enough at once.

We also swear by clinell wipes. They're so good! Keep several packets stashed around the house.

We never get through a winter without a sickness bug. Last year we only had one which I would call a win compared to previous years.

Yep, I work with children and teenagers, they are walking germ factories. My DS had more than his fair share of bugs growing up.

That said, I have a serious immune system issue but rarely get ill. My consultant tells me mixing with germy children is the best thing to boost an immune system.

I hope you can get more treatment for your anxieties.

Small children are prolific little bug and virus spreaders.