Emetophobia and norovirus in school

[scaredycatz]

My sons school apparently has an outbreak of norovirus he said loads of people off and more people gone home sick today. I suffer with emetophobia so now my anxiety is through the roof that he is going to catch it. Would it be sensible to keep him off to avoid him getting it? (I realise he could already have it now!) but then if I do that how long would I keep him off because it could still be around for ages. I really don't know what to do.

I'm also pregnant which is making my usual anxiety about catching sickness even worse as I don't want anything to harm the baby!

Your child will always be at risk of catching something. You cant keep them off for that reason.

Your child will always be at risk of catching something. You cant keep them off for that reason.

OP’s not suggesting turning her DS into a bubble boy for the rest of his life though is she?! ‘There’s always a risk’ and ‘His school is in the midst of an outbreak’ are very different things!

I remember a horrible stomach bug doing the rounds at my school and me missing a full week as my sibling has an immune disorder and was unwell in hospital. I’d have been unable to see them had I become unwell and had my parents caught it they’d have been unable to be on the ward.

I’m also pregnant and honestly if noro was actively doing the rounds at work/school I would avoid it like the plague. In your situation I would ring the school and question how they are managing this outbreak, how severe it actually is and what steps they’re taking to ensure it doesn’t spread.

It’s worth noting that school outbreaks of noro have been all over the news lately (in my area at least) it is seeming much worse this year than others and all NHS facilities/ most public spaces are taking action to help stop the spread - You are not being neurotic

You can't keep him off. He could pick it up anywhere. It's really common between November and February. It would also risk passing your phobia on to him.

Secondly, if you do get it, baby will be fine. Norovirus doesn't harm unborn babies. Just keep yourself hydrated (ice lollies are great as the sugar helps perk you up and the liquid goes down so slowly it doesn't increase the risk of vomiting more like drinking a glass of water does.

I feel for you, phobias and anxiety are just horrible but you can't let them impact your son's life.

My DC currently have this and I'm an absolute nervous wreck, I caught it earlier on the year and was so poorly I was hospitalised and since then I'm really phobic of it so you have my upmost sympathy.

I would keep him off it was me.

make him wash his hands as soon as he comes in the door.

you had family with an immune disorder that is very different to an emetophobe.
my point stands.