Does anyone know if the measures we are taking to reduce covid cases...

[CravingTheSun]

Such as - distancing, hand washing, mask wearing etc helping to stop the spread of other viruses too? I am assuming yes.

I know two people who have recently come down with norovirus. I have a terrible fear of vomiting (emetaphobia) and hearing about these two people has made me worry a bit.

I just don’t understand how people are picking colds/stomach bugs etc up!?

Apparently flu numbers have plummeted this year, so yes, the things to prevent spread of Covid will stop other viruses too.

However, just as Covid can still spread to some extent, so can other viruses.

Emetophobia sounds really tough. Have you ever had any therapy for it?

All of these measures are only as good as how well they're applied.

Likewise, even with stringent usage there would be inevitable cross contamination still.

Even when shielding with no outside world contact beyond online groceries that we washed, we suffered a stomach bug/upset.

Sorry to say that other viruses are still going around. I think there is a 'reservoir' of them in people who keep a low level breeding in them...

Certainly norovirus can survive for many weeks in damp conditions, and unfortunately school loos are the idea place. So even after 2-3 months of lockdown, there is still norovirus in places.

Personally I am maxing out on the probiotics to defend against the norobuggers

@sadlittleisland

Sorry to say that other viruses are still going around. I think there is a 'reservoir' of them in people who keep a low level breeding in them...

Certainly norovirus can survive for many weeks in damp conditions, and unfortunately school loos are the idea place. So even after 2-3 months of lockdown, there is still norovirus in places.

Well that's an interesting new scientific branch I need to explore. Norovirus can survive on a school loo seat for 3 months?

My dc1 has a sore throat after 10 school days.
So yeah still bugs about.
Some like adenoviruses can live for several months on surfaces.

Stomach bugs is probably surfaces and going in communal toilets.
Interestingly dc main friend had a 'stomach bug' at the beginning of the week so may well be the same virus presenting in my dc as a cold.
Ive notices that several times my kids will get stomach bug but the adults get colds.

Lots of people I know have had heavy colds this week. I think we’ve all been so well protected for the past year now that we have lost immunity to some of the bugs we’d normally be in contact with.
However, theoretically speaking, if you’ve caught a cold virus you’re missing something in your safety measures. I’d still rather a cold than Covid though!

Thanks all.
I kind of haven’t heard of anyone getting unwell with anything other than covid, until recently. Maybe it’s the schools going back?

I had no idea noro could live for 3 MONTHS! I think I will struggle with coming out of lockdown and mixing again. Although it has been miserable, the emetaphobe in me has secretly loved being inside, away from germs etc.

@PuzzledObserver yes I have had CBT (twice) and it’s not worked for me!

No one I know has had even the slightest cold this winter, when usually half the people at work seem to be coughing and sneezing.

Both times its been schools.
And i think then its luck.
Ours is 400+ close to a city year bubbles of 60 and after school clubs so basically everyone mixing.
Our school specifically have been too relaxed throughout. Lots of sharing of stuff even though dc has own pencilcase. Only 2 toilets if that for whole year. And parents breaking rules, play dates etc etc. Same parents i know dont adhere to 48h rule either.

Refusal to allow kids to do school from home is effectively discriminating against ones who get coughs /asthma as they are missing school.

No @dividedwefall I didn't say a seat, I said damp places. A quick Google of how long norovirus lives on surfaces confirms in still water it lives for months or years

When the children went back last time I caught a bad head cold from mine after being in the car together. I thought it was maybe worse because we'd had months with not a tickle.

To be honest there's no need for viruses to spread. If everyone washed their hands before eating and covered their mouths when they cough or sneeze (and change toothbrushes if someone in the house has been vomiting) there would be no transmission. The problem is people get too complacent.

How many times have you stopped for a coffee and a cake in town when shopping, and eaten something with your hands without washing them? Think how many things you've touched! Or kids in a playground eating their snacks at break, again, no washing. Or if your partner has snacks on the sofa and offers you one and you take one without washing your hands .. or if you bite your nails ..

I have emetophobia and have thrown up once (due to a migraine mixed with travel sickness, not a great combination ..) in the past 14 years. My simple no eating without handing washing rule is all I do differently to anyone else.

Norovirus statistics for England:

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/970466/Norovirus_bulletin_2020-21_week-11.pdf

Persistence in water and on some surfaces etc: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33613487/

Linda i think someone showed emitaphobs do throw up less.
Im pretty phobic, i just hate the pain, sensation etc but managed to deal with 2 very sicky kids. However i think the sensory stuff and stress does make me snappy.

I was very careful with dc etc not eating at soft play till after hand washing or gel but they still got sick.
Ime its

• swimming pools as other kids vomit in the pool

• other kids not handwashing at soft play etc and they bring it to school

It doesnt matter how careful we are

Also dsis gives my dc a vomitting bug pretty much every visit.
They fly over
Go on trips to friends houses and london etc
The last one was so nasty - their dc vomited once. A week later mine was out at a farm park /soft play place and vomited but wouldnt stop and had to go home by car still heaving. And its odd because there were 10 of us in the house (precovid) and only those 2 got it.

@sadlittleisland

Sorry to say that other viruses are still going around. I think there is a 'reservoir' of them in people who keep a low level breeding in them...

Certainly norovirus can survive for many weeks in damp conditions, and unfortunately school loos are the idea place. So even after 2-3 months of lockdown, there is still norovirus in places.

12 days according to the nhs.

Remember, plenty of children & adults have remained in work/school & nursery during all this. Not everyone has been hidden away at home. My DD went back to nursery in June last year & has attended ever since. They’ve never closed. Sick bugs have gone round as usual. As have colds, coughs, hand foot mouth, chicken pox & headlice. (we’ve not had all these but they’ve done the rounds). Children at nursery don’t distance, nor do the adults. That child goes to a shop, doesn’t need to wear a mask, touches stuff etc. Masks aren’t a bullet proof no virus escapes the wearer. The kid or adult coughs or sneezes, it’ll come out the mask a bit at least.. and that’s just one example. Bus drivers, taxi drivers, teachers, cafe workers, restaurant takeout workers, some office workers, tradesmen, engineers, builders, removal men.. all still working and often not distanced. These people all use shops, take their kid to the park, have kids in school etc etc.

I’m emetephobic. The biggest help for me was having children. I can’t let my paralysing fear get in the way of their life. So we go to nursery, we go to softplay, we go to all the kids stuff .. and I’ve had to let go to a large extent.. I’m not cured & if I feel sick, I’m a mess. But day to day, I don’t worry anymore.