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Original poster

Help me be rational about this please (stomach bug)

48 replies

QuietLurker · 17/12/2025 10:32

I'm emetophobic and prone to fear the worst when it comes to stomach bugs so I could do so with some perspective on this...

We are due to spend Christmas with extended family next week ( basically two families staying with grandparents for a few days) and yesterday we heard that my 5 year old niece, who will also be staying there, has been vomiting all day. Given the time of year, it may well be norovirus. There is no way we can cancel the visit. Given there will have been nearly a week between her illness and us all staying together, if her parents aren't struck down by it too, is it possible that we can avoid all catching this? I'm looking for rational responses to set against me own catastrophic thinking (which is telling me we're all doomed!) Obviously we'll be handwashing, but the kids are all young and will be playing together. I'm feeling quite anxious and miserable about this now, but don't want to pass the worry on to my kids, who are so excited about a big family Christmas.

OP posts:
Pyjamatimenow · 17/12/2025 10:37

I would give it a week and see if any of the adults pick it up. When in doubt do nowt

DJKatnip · 17/12/2025 10:38

Assuming no one else in the family catches it, I’d say the chances of the rest of you coming down with it are very low if you’re not getting together until next week. Totally understand the anxiety though - last year my niece came round after being sick during the day and night of Christmas eve and we (somehow) managed to avoid catching it

sleepyjessie · 17/12/2025 10:39

Even if the adults come down with it the chances are nearly 0!

CaffeineAndChords · 17/12/2025 10:41

If it helps, I also have emetophobia, my daughter woke in the night throwing up early hours of last thurs morning, was still being sick at 9pm Friday
we are a house of 6, and none of us have come down with it (touching wood still!) but I’d say at almost a week, we’re clear
It was awful for her and all I could think was great, we’re all going down like domino’s but we’ve been fine. Obviously bleach, obsessive hand washing and dettol have been our best friend but fingers crossed.
Personally I’d check they’re taking precautions by thoroughly cleaning everywhere and that no one else comes down with it between now and then.

Original poster
QuietLurker · 17/12/2025 10:45

Thanks eveeryone for your speedy (and sane) responses. They are exactly what I needed. I will wait and see what happens, and try not to panic because it doesn't help anyone. A big plus is that we'll all be staying at a grandparents house, not the 'house of sickness', so that should help, as I won't need to think so much about whether they've cleaned enough.

OP posts:
ShesTheAlbatross · 17/12/2025 10:46

I have emetophobia too so I get it.

Just to be clear - you won’t be staying at the house where she’s been sick? You’re all going to a different house?

I’d say a very very slim chance. It’s possible she’ll still be shedding some virus in her poo so the transmission (if it happens) would come from her not washing her hands properly, or your children using the bathroom after her and not washing their hands. But after a week it’s a very small chance!

Original poster
QuietLurker · 17/12/2025 10:59

Thanks @ShesTheAlbatross Yes, it's that kind of transmission that I'm most concerned about... there are enough bathrooms that the families shouldn't have to share, but I dont think it will go down well if I try to suggest we keep to separate bathrooms. They are (probably rightly!) a lot more relaxed about this sort of thing than I am.

OP posts:
Original poster
QuietLurker · 17/12/2025 10:59

And, you're spot on, we won't be staying in the house where she's been sick.

OP posts:
january1244 · 17/12/2025 11:26

Probiotic powder from Holland and Barrett for the kids this week and while there, and apple cider vinegar in water for the adults. One tablespoon three times a day. Will help you all fight it off also

Original poster
QuietLurker · 17/12/2025 11:44

Well, apparently one of the parents has now come down with it too 😬 At least there are still a good few days before we see them... still feeling a quite doomy though

OP posts:
MoonlightMemories · 17/12/2025 12:40

As someone who has had winter vomiting bugs several times (I work in a job looking after those who are very unwell with it and other illnesses, so catching it myself is sometimes inevitable, no matter how careful I am, as they're so very infectious), just bare in mind that people are considered to be still potentially infectious for up to 48 hours AFTER their last symptoms, so if they're having symptoms now, they may still be having diarrhea/vomiting for another 1-3 days at least and they should still isolate for 2 days after those symptoms have stopped completely.

Norovirus requires so few particles to get infected with...and also it can remain on surfaces alive for up to 2 weeks and requires a hot wash (60) for bedding/clothes etc and.then bleach on hard surfaces to kill it. I know you're determined to still go and see your family, but I would just think of all of this in mind and wether it's worth potentially your whole family spending Christmas being really quite ill, especially if there is food involved, which their.no doubt will....

Original poster
QuietLurker · 17/12/2025 13:03

@MoonlightMemories Thanks, I'm really aware of all that, but if I say I want to cancel my family will really not understand and will think I've ruined their Christmas. Ive just got to hope they're all symptom free (with some days to spare) by the time we meet, and focus on the fact that we won't be staying in the house where they've been ill.

OP posts:
Lizchapman · 17/12/2025 14:16

48 hrs is the usual isolation period so you have plenty of time still

FcukBreastCancer · 17/12/2025 14:18

My daughter vomited 2 weeks ago and noone else. I had her in bed with me and cleaned up.
Try not to panic

Floundering66 · 17/12/2025 14:19

I’m not sure if I have a phobia, but everytime my little boy is sick I do get super panicked about catching it as I know I can’t function when I have a bug. For what it’s worth he’s had five sickness bugs this year and (touch wood) I haven’t caught it yet despite him literally throwing up all over me. All you can do is practice good hygiene - I wash my hands with soap and water constantly, don’t touch my face, don’t share cutlery/ drinks etc and spray what I can with dettol. I’d say wash the sheets/ towels on a hot wash but that’s irrelevant when you aren’t staying at their house. Maybe bring your own hand towel and disinfectant spray and discretely use them.

FcukBreastCancer · 17/12/2025 14:20

QuietLurker · 17/12/2025 11:44

Well, apparently one of the parents has now come down with it too 😬 At least there are still a good few days before we see them... still feeling a quite doomy though

Oh no!
I'd say I wouldn't be going unless there are ki symptoms for 48 hours at least.

Horrorscope · 17/12/2025 14:27

No advice but I’d be just as worried as you - a particularly bad stomach bug adversely affected my digestive bits for quite a few years plus I also used to be terrified of being sick.

So, I still utterly dread picking up a stomach bug…

Good luck x

bouncydog · 17/12/2025 14:32

We had a call from our DD for help (lives overseas) as she had noro, an 18 month old and her DH in hospital (unrelated). Took us almost 2 days to get there. She had disinfected everywhere but her DD got it, I got it and so did DH over a period of a week. We had all practiced handwashing, disinfecting bathrooms and door handles, washing all towels sheets etc at 60 but still got it. Personally I wouldn’t go anywhere near the house that has it until they are clear of symptoms for at least a week. Just to add we had a separate bathrooms but it’s clearly easily spread.

SomewhereOverTheRainbow2013 · 17/12/2025 14:41

I'm not quite emetephobic but I do get very worried about sickness. It totally freaks me out. But one thing that has always worked whenever I have been sick is full sugar (not diet) coke. I don't know how or why. So maybe have a little stash of those. I presume all the cr*p in them kills everything 😂 Might be worth a try as a precaution. Just a thought as it has honestly stopped my vomiting when I've been seriously ill.

MrsRonaldWeasley · 17/12/2025 14:58

I am totally with you @QuietLurker I am also emetophobic and I am in constant fear (yes, fear is the most accurate way to describe it!) especially at this time of year. I have no advice for you really but just wanted to offer a hand hold as I really do understand how debilitating this phobia is ❤️

Charla69 · 17/12/2025 15:03

QuietLurker · 17/12/2025 10:32

I'm emetophobic and prone to fear the worst when it comes to stomach bugs so I could do so with some perspective on this...

We are due to spend Christmas with extended family next week ( basically two families staying with grandparents for a few days) and yesterday we heard that my 5 year old niece, who will also be staying there, has been vomiting all day. Given the time of year, it may well be norovirus. There is no way we can cancel the visit. Given there will have been nearly a week between her illness and us all staying together, if her parents aren't struck down by it too, is it possible that we can avoid all catching this? I'm looking for rational responses to set against me own catastrophic thinking (which is telling me we're all doomed!) Obviously we'll be handwashing, but the kids are all young and will be playing together. I'm feeling quite anxious and miserable about this now, but don't want to pass the worry on to my kids, who are so excited about a big family Christmas.

Nope, I would not be attending. A week is NOT enough time for stomach viruses of any kind.

Original poster
QuietLurker · 17/12/2025 15:10

Charla69 · 17/12/2025 15:03

Nope, I would not be attending. A week is NOT enough time for stomach viruses of any kind.

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Unfortunately, not attending is not going to be an option 😕 I think if any if them are still actively ill next week, they would change plans, but they won't understand cancelling if they've all recovered. I'm just going to have to get on with it.

OP posts:
arghno · 17/12/2025 15:32

Former emetophobe here, OP - I get it. If one of the other parents is already ill it may well run its course in their family quite quickly (poor them), but that gives you a bit more of a time buffer before next week. With a school age child they should also be aware of the 48h recommendation, so you would hope they will stick to that.

Various other points in favour of not catching it - e.g. you're not in their house, as you've said, and the adults at least should hopefully be good with hygiene, so any shedding should be minimal.

All the best - I hope the situation becomes a bit clearer over the next few days and you can still relax a bit for the celebrations 💐

Original poster
QuietLurker · 17/12/2025 15:36

Thanks, @arghno that's really helpful. I need to keep focusing on these kinds of things rather than catastrophising. If you don't mind me asking, how did you move from being an emetophobe to a 'former emetophobe'? Sometimes I think I'm over it, but then a situation like this arises and realise I'm really, really not!

OP posts:
ShesTheAlbatross · 17/12/2025 15:36

QuietLurker · 17/12/2025 15:10

Unfortunately, not attending is not going to be an option 😕 I think if any if them are still actively ill next week, they would change plans, but they won't understand cancelling if they've all recovered. I'm just going to have to get on with it.

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What days are you due to see them?