Feeling so frustrated...why can't I get a break? Emetephobe

[StarlightIntheNight]

I am feeling so frustrated, upset and anxious. My dd vomitted twice an hour ago. My ds had a tummy bug 2.5 weeks ago and I thought she managed to stay clear. It was going around their school...so I was still worried she would get it. Anyway, why can't I seem to get a break?? Other kids did not get the bug (although several did!). Some parents I spoke to said their kids don't seem to catch the tummy bugs when they are going around the school. But we have had bad luck each year. I suffer from emetaphobia, so every time this makes me so freaked out, so anxious and this lasts for days/weeks after. As I get worried about catching it or other people in the house catching it. I have to clean the house daily etc.

Sorry for the vent and the rambling. I am just feeling upset and frustrated.

I hear you. I have severe emetephobia.

It’s hideous and terrifying and completely debilitating.

I find it’s always good to try preventative stuff to try and ease the anxiety, if that helps.

I drum it into my two to wash hands. I put anti bac hand wipes ( anti norovirus ones) in their lunch boxes, I never give them food after until they’re in and hands are washed.

I always ensure a fabulous diet and lots of probiotics and vitamins. Plenty of fresh air too. I too freak when a bug is going round; especially as there are so many selfish twats as parents that don’t follow the 48 hour rule ( makes my blood boil but that’s a whole other thread).

Good luck. Unmumnsetty hugs.

My dds had maybe three bouts of vomiting between them (both now adults). Both were in full time nursery from 6 months. I put it down to not practicing extreme hygiene in the house. We had cats, low standards of cleaning (absolutely no bleach and definitely no hand sanitizer, for example) and a lot of outdoor play with mud and grime. Just anecdote not data, of course.

I’m ok with dirt and being outside and I’m not as scrupulous as I was with cleaning but I have to feel I’m doing something.

I know that we have to have some bad bacteria for our immune systems to work effectively etc but I find that everyday germs from school is just too much and so I will always make sure my two wash their hands.

I do have severe emetephobia though

Nothing wrong with hand washing, I do it a lot to avoid colds and flu, but I do think that germ eradication, when taken to extremes is likely to cause more problems than it cures.

I agree completely; it really is a catch 22.

Mental health is not fun

RedWineIsFabulous, where do you get antinorovirus hand wipes? I did not know those exist! And yes, I know one selfish parent who does not follow this 48 rule...my daughter is friends with her daughter and I am almost certain that is who my dd caught the bug from. ARGHHH. Makes my blood boil. Such selfish people.

chemenger I wonder if you are on to something. I am strict about hand washing etc and my children seem to get a bug every freaking year. But when I was little I never got bugs and I NEVER washed my hands! Perhaps I will try to relax on the hand washing to see if it actually makes a difference! Bc at the moment, hand washing does not seem to do squat for my kids.