To avoid my vomiting husband?

[Pregglestm]

I’m 12 weeks pregnant and coming out of the nausea stage, luckily I didn’t actually vomit. But my husband has just randomly started vomiting violently tonight- I don’t know if it’s food poisoning (we ate the same tea and I think I feel ok) or a virus (he works with the public) or just something completely random.

I’m an emetophobe and I basically just want to run away. I can’t sleep, I don’t want to get back in bed with him in case he has germs and I catch them with my lowered immune system- I don’t even want to go for a wee because we only have one bathroom and I’m currently imagining it full of vomity germs. Am I being totally irrational or is it actually sensible for me to avoid close contact for a while? I feel so mean by not looking after him, but I’m also on the verge of a panic attack (which I’ve not had for years) and I’m panicking about norovirus, listeriosis and more, which can’t be good for the baby... I really don’t know what to do! Please help, rational people!

Look at it from a different angle. You don't know what is making your dh unwell. So what harm is there in avoiding cross contamination, washing his sheets, towels and clothing separately at a higher temperature, ensuring that he washes his hands thoroughly, washing his dishes in very hot water if you don't have a dishwasher. Use a bleach solution to wipe down work surfaces, taps, cleaning bathroom floor etc.

If he is infectious then it helps avoid spread of germs and if not then no harm done.He needs to be clear from d&v for 48 hrs before going to work. I worked in a care home and this would be basic precautions.

Hope he is feeling better, if not contact GP or NHS emergency line for advice.

It’s not irrational and selfish to avoid infection when your immune system is low. Pregnant women are very vulnerable. What makes the DH ill could land the OP in hospital. Ditto for very small children, the elderly and anyone else with a compromised immune system.

Forget the anti bac. It isn't a bacteria so swiping over the place with antibacterial isn't gonna have an effect. Hot soapy water or bleach will do better

Also hand wash hand wash soapy water dry on separate towel.

You can only catch it from ingesting it. If he's vomitted near you then you can get it from the spray but you have to actually ingest a bit of it. Orally

Hope you're OK OP, I totally understand. My DD is an emetophobe and she has full blown panic attacks - I've never seen distress like it. It's no fun and certainly not selfish, it's not something you can help. Keep washing your hands, avoid touching your face and disinfect surfaces, door handles, TV remotes, the house phone, anywhere that gets touched. We managed to avoid it when DH had it very badly, hope you do too xx