Do you isolate from your kids?

[Missionapo3]

I rarely get ill but have been really unwell since yesterday. Started off with aches and uncontrollable shivers and now stomach cramps and gastric symptoms and exhaustion.

I wouldn't worry at all for standard colds but this has really knocked me so I'm thinking it might be the flu.

I'd just come back from a work trip away so the kids were really excited to see me. I really wanted to stay away from them as much as possible as I was really worried to pass it on but they were literally all over me.

When I fell asleep last night they both got into bed with me, which is really cute but now I feel really guilty that I might have passed it on to them.

I feel like I would have been a terrible mother either way, denying them cuddles or contaminating them.

What do you do?

Honestly you’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t. You could isolate and they could still catch it or you could have done what you did and they’ll be grand.

You don’t know how long you’ve been harbouring this so if your work trip was just a couple of days you could’ve exposed them to whatever it is beforehand.

When it comes to illness I’m afraid it’s in the lap of the Gods.

I have the same thing this week (norovirus) and while I have been in the "active" stage shall I say, yes I have stayed away from the kids and husband. They have said hi at the door etc.... but avoided the bathroom I am using. I am now starting to get better so they came in the bedroom today but still no kisses or hugs etc.....

No, we’ve never done this. Not really an ‘ill’ house though so it’s not ever come up as something to need to think about.
Get well soon!

I was a single mum. I had to drag myself to the kitchen to cook or on the school run.
My child never caught anything.

Sorry you've been poorly too. Have you had any vomiting? I've been wondering if I have norovirus but no vomiting here, and I have been able to eat (though little appetite). We have been using separate bathrooms and I quickly went round with bleach and opened all windows before they came home earlier.

But they've been in my bed and we have kissed and hugged, so if it's respiratory rather than norovirus they might be doomed. Though if its flu at least they've had the jab, unlike me.

I meant to quote @LuckysDadsHat above.

@ColonelRhubarbBikini it was just a couple of days and DD had been ill just before I left with a strange virus, so it could even be that she contaminated me before I left I guess.

Ventilation just have some fresh air or air the rooms every hour

Colds and things like that, no we wouldn't actively isolate. I would discourage kisses and shared glasses, and if she wants cuddles I'd make a point of breathing in a different direction but to be honest, if one of us gets it, likely we all will.

Noro/sickness bugs are different and whilst I wouldn't hide away from her I would get her to keep her distance, no cuddles/kisses, sit on the other sofa if I made it as far as the lounge. These basic precautions have been enough for us to avoid spreading sick bugs around the house so far.

Even with covid we didn't isolate from each other. DD was still breast feeding so I figured the stress of having that taken away from her would be worse than the bugs, and predominantly they came from nursery via her anyway!

Thank you! Typically we do the same - don't bother for colds but take precautions for sickness bugs. I guess in this case I'm confused as I'm not sure which it is - some weird hybrid mutant virus!

I have had numerous bouts of vomiting and the shits. Not been pleasant. Windows have been open all day and the bedroom one overnight for me. I am spraying dettol spray on all handles and toilet flushes etc... numerous times a day. I came down with it Tuesday and no one else has yet. So I'm hoping they are all OK. I have had dry toast today and kept that down and in so far! It was the temperature of over 39 and the shivers and aches and pains that were the worst though.

I hope you feel better soon and no one else gets it.