To be freaking out about possibly contaminated school shoes... !

[FeatherySquawkington]

I don't do sickness at all..... So with that in mind, a kid was sick at DS's school in Tuesday in the classroom. I'm fairly happy that DS hasn't got the bug as it's been a few days now and he's ok but I've just noticed that he's put on the shoes he was wearing that day and I'm freaking out that they are contaminated. What are the chances he will catch a bug from his shoes?! Is this even a thing?!

Don’t worry about the nastier posts, entertains them for a bit I guess. Phobias feel rational in that past experience has somehow led us to believe something is threatening, we are programmed to respond to threat and that’s what your mind and body are doing. There are some really good treatments for this and as others have said, help is available. Do you want to go on dreading every time something happens that triggers the beliefs, or free yourself. Very best of luck. To those sneering, shame on you. I do agree you need to access help so your DC doesn’t pick up on this.

Dear OP,
You know that your anxiety about this is not rational but when you suffer with anxiety that does not make it any easier to live with (if anything it makes it harder). Please go to your GP and ask to be referred for cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). It can be very effective at treating anxiety issues. There should be no reason for you to live with such anxiety when it can be treated. As PPs have also said, there is a risk of passing on this anxiety to your DCs which I am sure you will be desperate to avoid.

I feel for you and know where you are coming from .But sickness and children go together !.I find floor wipes good for cleaning mud off of outdoor shoes when we take the dog out.I used to work in a Nursery and a little boy was sick all over his blanket(Nap Time)rightnext to me .didnt catch it though.Try to chill a bit ,I always feel worried about germs in the bathroom ,and need to bleach taps ,loo,bath and basin when feeling anxious .You cant stop it completely, as you could be standing in a queue next to someone whos infected ! just try to live with it as best you can .

Well op i have this exact way of thinking and its hugely exhausting!!!
I was diagnosed with ocd back in 2011.
Im not in a great place with it all at the moment and am currently on medication and having counselling. Just wanted to let you know that you are not alone.........i daernt write about all the intrusive thoughts i have every day!!!!

So many rude replies here. Obviously these people are lucky enough to not suffer extreme anxiety or emetophobia. #endthestigma my arse...

Op I understand. You know its not 'normal' to think like this but you can't help it. I used to be like you but I have had counselling which helped. I would spray the shoes with dettol, just for your peace of mind. But if these fears are common place for you, or you find that they are taking over your life, please go to the dr. There's help.

If you would rather not go through your GP you can self refer through the link below.

beta.nhs.uk/find-a-psychological-therapies-service/#

OP this must be exhausting for you. Not taking the piss, I mean that sincerely. One of my closest friends suffers from anxiety and I know how difficult it can be so you have my sympathy. I'm absolutely sure that your DS will be fine.

What do you mean "I don't do sickness"? Confusing statement. Do you mean you cannot bear to be around vomit? I am the same but can cope with my daughter when that happens.

Germs can really only survive for more than 20 mins in a moist situation, so in a blob of spit, on a damp towel, on a greasy door handle etc. If the shoes were dry, any germs that might have got onto them would have died through dehydration.

Some replies on here are really shitty. OP, I know exactly what I mean. I've been known to throw away perfectly good inanimate objects because they may have come into contact with vomit.

I work in a care home. Every year there is a gastric flu outbreak.

Most years I take it in my stride, up my hand washing and make sure work clothes are washed separately and on a higher temp.

Last year one broke out and I was a mess. I came home and lay towels at the side of each bed, everyone had their personal bucket, hand gel and assigned glass for water. I had a kit ready to go on the landing which contained disposable gloves, disinfectants, bin bags, clean sheets and pj's for all.

I couldn't sleep because I was convinced one of the kids would be ill in the night and I'd not hear them.

I constantly felt sick.

Not one of us caught the bug.

I went to the GP after, at the advice of concerned colleagues and family, and had my anti-depressant dosage upped and was referred for therapy.

This year the annual bug hit and again, I upped my hand hygiene (is already top level) and washed uniform separately. But there was no manic assembling of sick kits etc, as my meds are working!

None of us caught the bug this time either.

If you're going to get it you'll get it, there really isn't much you can do other than practice good hand hygiene and avoid contact with known contaminated people. Which isn't always possible

Please see your GP re your anxiety. Parental anxiety is damaging to children.

I think he'll be fine if you cleaned the shoes. I'd clean shoes that may have puke on! And I'm generally a bit minging!