To be in an absolute panic about sickness bug going around?

[Downtonfabby]

I keep reading there’s a bad sickness bug doing it’s rounds. Possibly norovirus.
I have health anxiety anyway, but I also think I may have Emetophobia.
When my son (3 years old) had a sickness bug a few months ago I was in a state of utter panic, especially as his dad had to go to work and I was left to manage it by myself.

Anything to do with illness is a huge trigger for me too. High temps as I worry it will cause convulsions or hallucinations.
I’m always looking for a rash or signs of dehydration. Which is why something like norovirus or a sickness bug is the worst thing, fever, sickness, diarrhoea and dehydration.

I’m also terrified of getting it myself, uncontrollably vomiting really scares me. I know nobody ‘enjoys’ it. But I am physical fearful even thinking about it.
I had norovirus when I was about 16 and I fainted. My mum was there at the time, but I was so dehydrated and sick. I couldn’t keep anything down. Not even sips of water.
So I’m obviously afraid this will happen again, either alone or possibly worse when I’m with my DS by myself.

Can someone talk me down as I’m in an utter panic and it’s not even hit our household yet…I just feel like it’s a waiting game!

Also cleaning up sick is horrendous for anyone, but I cry, shake and feel sick myself while doing it.

I understand your health anxiety I really do but you have to get a grip otherwise you won’t be able to care for your son properly when he is unwell and needs you most and your issues may pass to him or manifest into something less manageable.
No one, and I mean absolutely no one, likes nausea, sickness and diarrhoea but if you get a bug it will pass in 24 - 48 hours with no serious or lasting side effects.

Investigate CBT to overcome your fear before it takes over your life because kids get sick ALL THE TIME, just wait till he is in school!!

We all had it a few days ago, including our 3 year old. He was sick 6 times, I was sick 4 but we felt horrific all day. He slept for most of 24 hours on and off. The next day we felt drained but worlds better. All sickness and nausea gone within 24 hours. It was rough but not uncontrollable constant sick. It’s definitely doing the rounds so just wash your hands a lot!

I don’t have any advice but I do feel for you. A phobia is a phobia, you didn’t choose yours and you’re dealing with it the best you can. My DH and DS have the bug right now and it feels like a waiting game until I inevitably get it. I’m over analysing every little stomach twinge and have only eaten soft foods today that would be easy to throw up. For what it’s worth they have only actually been sick twice each, they’ve mostly slept it off. Really hope it doesn’t get us!

@WifeMotherWorkRepeat

I will look at CBT. I know it’s over the top, but I feel almost paralysed with fear over this.
I’m not sleeping and I’m constantly thinking about it.

Would some prep help? Located a sick bowl. Get some towels ready.

Disposable sick bowl. Gloves. If you have a plan it might help?

@onehereoneabove

I can wash my hands, but my 3 year old who goes to nursery licks things and certainly doesn’t practice good hygiene unless someone is directing him!

@GarlicGnocchi

I have a sort of plan, which makes me feel in control somewhat.

I’ve ordered rehydration sachets, lemonade (as someone mentioned flat lemonade), dry foods like breadsticks. Also ordered carpet cleaner and baking soda as supposedly it gets the smell of vomit out of carpets & furniture.

I hate being sick too as it makes me pee myself when I throw up!!

Which is fine if at home near the loo, but not so good elsewhere....

So it could be worse; you could have soggy pants like me!!

Glad you have a plan in place OP

Also prep the bed OP ... waterproof, sheet, waterproof, sheet, etc. So you can strip off one layer to deal with later and get the child comfy in bed again ASAP. Have a bucket with a plastic bag and some cat litter in ready to go. If you do all the prep, guaranteed you won't need it! Also soapy hand wash when you come into the house ... I have always done this with my kids and childminding kids, we never got anything.

Sounds good. For your little one, if you clean their hands before they eat at home you know you're doing your bit to help.

Also prep the bed OP ... waterproof, sheet, waterproof, sheet, etc. So you can strip off one layer to deal with later and get the child comfy in bed again ASAP. genius

I genuinely sympathise OP. I had the same health anxiety and was petrified of getting a stomach bug. Over time this caused issues with going out and travelling. It got to the point where I had to tackle it as it was slowly taking me over so I had hypnotherapy. That was 10 years ago and since then I have travelled on 7 long haul flights and 5 short haul flights and am able to function.
I will always carry immodium in my hand bag, just in case!
Something else I got a few years ago are blue vomit bags from Amazon. I keep 1 in each car and some in the medicine cabinet.
Worrying is worse than the event itself and this anxiety will be draining you. If you are sick you will deal with it, rehydrate, sleep and recover.

Sorry for the tough love but I don’t want this phobia to consume you. Life’s too short x

I was just like that until reasonably recently. Never went anywhere when the kids were small because I was afraid they would catch something. Never ate out. I was a wreck. Now they are 15 and 12 and I don't worry anymore. Have a bit of a wobble if one of them says they feel sick (rare) but otherwise a world away.
It will pass eventually. I know that's not helpful but I promise it will.

Also going on holiday abroad was torture. I used to count the hours down till we were safely back. Now I am looking forward to our (first for 3 years) cruise to Greece......

I feel the dread, as a single mum. I’m really afraid of being very unwell and having no one to help (no family- exH useless and far away.)

But, my DD surprised me when she got noro age 3 and was super resilient. She was sick, but always in the bucket I’d directed her about, even when she woke up to be ill in the night. She was potty trained too, so the clean up was really minimal. She’s got a couple of bugs since then, because what child doesn’t? But talking her through it and instructing her what to do if she feels sick or urgent no2 helped her feel less afraid and kept it all rather peaceful.

And she is absolutely good as gold when I inevitably catch things from her, fetching me water unasked and checking if I need calpol! I also put some easy to fetch & eat snacks in a low cupboard so if she’s hungry and I’m stuck in the loo she can manage.

It is a fact, it is dire, but your child will be upset and frightened too. You having a plan will help both of you feel better.

Bowl lined with a plastic bag which can be tied and binned immediately- no clearing up then.

Lots of kitchen roll and towels.

Zoflora as it gets rid of sick smell if it gets on the carpet .

Rich tea biscuits and rehydration sachets.

Do you have a partner OP? My husband has emetophobia (along with various other medical phobias) and if the kids are sick he leaves the room and I deal with it. I had two HG pregnancies and he coped by staying away when I was sick.