The terror of Norovirus...

[Maccapaccawacca]

I work as a hcp in a hospital. I ought to know better! but...I am terrified of getting bloody norovirus. I have a 13 month old DS and am paranoid about us both getting sick and not having anyone around to help (DH works a long way away, wouldn't want to infect friends etc)..being unable to cope etc.
I HATE being sick (I know it's no ones favourite hobby) so much, I can feel physical panic at the merest hint of a dodgy gut.
Someone help me get a grip please!

Not the post you want to hear from me - I have this atm. On day ten of d and v. So weak and exhausted and have crawling 1 year old and 3 year old to look after.

The good thing (if there is a good thing) is that kids seem to shrug it off quickly. It hasn't been the same for me. Uncontrollable diarrahea (even in my sleep), sickness, utter exhaustion and absolutely no appetite.

Now the 3 year old has come home with head lice from nursery and I could cry!

Hope you don't get it. I would gladly have ended it last week! Really scrub your hands when at the toilet or changing nappies and clean toilets with bleach.

Having d&v for 10 days is NOT norovirus. You should see a doctor blanche.

Macca - I work in a hospital and I've had norovirus once. It was indeed foul however nobody in my house caught it - not dh who shared the bathrrom with me (he was very vigilant with the bleach - don't forget the loo handle!) noe dd1 or dd2 and not even dd3 who I was still breastfeeding at the time.
I was basically continually sick for 6 hours and then weak for another 12 and a bit off for another 24 so if you DO get it then you will need to get some help. However - I've worked in a hospital for 10 years and only had it once and very few of my colleagues seem to succumb. I think we become immune

I agree that Blanche has either been spectacularly unlucky or has had something else entirely. Our family have had winter vomiting bugs twice in the last few years but with a bit of luck you won't all get them simultaneously, and the worst is normally over within 12 hours at the longest - it's horrible but short.

Good luck for dodging it this season OP.

i'm with you macca...my blood runs cold when the news goes on about outbreaks, and wards being closed in hospitals etc!

Am beginning to think I need some professional help!! My DH jokingly suggested I stay in until April to avoid the bug and I momentarily considered it!
It's ridiculous really as being sick is rarely as bad as the anticipation (she says hopefully)...

Blanche, get well soon.x

Hi,

GP won't actually take a sample to check but seems pretty sure that it norovirus. I think I have been spectacularly unlucky as I've been run down anyway with colds, not having a solid nights sleep in a year, etc!

Wouldn't wish this on anyone so keep dodging it!

You poor thing. Broken sleep makes you so susceptable doesn't it. Hope you feel better soon and talk to another GP if you're not satisfied with the first opinion.
Does Imodiumoranything work? I know you're meant to let the 'badness' come out but just to help you look after your children?

After your comments on here I went back to the doctors yesterday. They've sent away a stool sample and have given me an antibiotic (Cipro) to try and combat whatever it is.

Feeling a bit emotional about it all as I had to stop bfing DD2 last night as bf and this antibiotic doesn't mix. I was down to just 1 feed at night time (she is 13 months) but I feel my hand has been forced by all of this. As this is my last baby it just feels so final.

Hope the antibiotics kick in soon, so fed up. Weighed myself this morning and now just over 8 stone. I'm wasting away!

You could always pump and ditch for a few days to maintain supply Blanche - no reason to quit bf for good now if you and your DD don't want to.
Hope you feel better very soon.

Yeah, I thought about that Dily but, tbh, with not eating for over a week my supply is shocking and I can't seem to express anything.

I go back to work at the end of the month and my first day back is a week's training course away from home. Logistically, I was aiming to drop the last feed in a week or so but I'm just feeling sorry for myself and having a moan!

Thanks for your good wishes.

Both of my DDs have it atm. DD1 managed to catch the whole lot in the mop bucket.... was most impressed.

I was supposed to be at work and in a training meeting this afternoon - instead I'm stuck at home feeling very down.

Compounded by fellow worker sending pointed e-mails to the effect that I should have come to work this pm. Despite the fact it's not even a normal workig day for me....

Hello Maccapacca - it sounds as though you have emetophobia (one of the most common phobias of all) and if your GP is any good he/she should be able to put you on a waiting list for cognitive behavioural therapy, which has a good reputation in the treatment of severe phobia and ocd.

There are loads of emetophobics on Mumsnet - even some chat threads! If you do an advanced search you will come up with lots of information on the subject.

Hi All, sorry to jump in a bit late on this chat - Blanche, i really hope you're feeling better now?

On Sunday last my 8 month old came down with projectile vomiting, all day. Sunday night my husband had a violent bout of v&d all night. I started feeling sick during the night and got the d, i felt sick all day Monday and Tuesday, had chronic diarreah, baby started with the diarreah, my mum came to help, she went down with it Tuesday night. Now we're on Thursday. I feel ok, a bit better, not sick anymore, and no diarreah for 24 hours, however, baby is still off his food and has explosive diarreah although seems ok in himself. What i am wondering is if its possible for me to re-catch the virus off him as i change his nappies and clean him up etc? I ask because i was so ill on Monday i couldn't cope (hence why my mum was there) and i want to know if i need to be prepared - i am washing hands furiously and keeping everything clean and i'm only just starting to eat a bit today for the first time anyway but making sure its sanitary.

Any advice much appreciated.

Abs x

You can catch Norovirus more than once but not normally within the same outbreak - immunity lasts about 4 weeks. So you'll be fine to deal with those nappies (you lucky thing)
Get well soon.
Bibbity - thank you - I know that the waiting list for CBT at my surgery is as long as my arm so have been considering private treatment. Will search to see if others think this is worth it. Im not so bad with others being sick now, as i've been exposed repeatedly at work but for myself or my baby is a whole other story....sigh

I'm MUCH better. Thank god for antibiotics!