What can I do to prevent stomach bug spreading around whole family?

[twoisenoughmum]

Am phobic about vomiting. DD (5 years 9 months) has just done a very runny poo and so of course I'm now panicking that she'll be sick (is that inevitable after diahorrea?) and that we'll all get some horrendous bug. Apart from hand washing and keeping loo clean, what can I do???

Please help. To me this is like being arachnophobic in a room full of huge hairy tarantulas!!!

Anyone had this phobia and got over it? It causes me a lot of distress and I need to do something about it cos I can't function normally when there is any hint of sickness around nursery/school/anyone else I know. Feeling miserable ...

wash hands .. yours and theirs

many bugs spread by hand

vomiting not inevitable

you need to seek out some help if you are this phobic .. how on earth have you managed till now

DH always has to deal with vomit (the one and only strict division of parenting rule in this house). But of course he's not always here. Not going to tempt fate by saying how few times both kids have actually been sick (thank God they are not particularly prone) but I can remember the exact circumstances, even the dates, of every time. When DD came home from school with suspected heat stroke earlier in the summer she vomited about 10 times (ended up in hospital - she actually had concussion). I was with her and DS alone at time and had deal with it. But I still can't think about that day without shaking. It's not an uncommon phobia but have no clue about how to treat it (how would they treat it? Make me hang out with a load of bullimics?). Know I must deal with it though. Might start another thread asking specifically for help with phobias. Thanks for replying.

I share this phobia with you. My ds 2 has had diarrhoea with no vomiting. Know how you are feeling but also know it isn't much help.

Ok, my friend is a senior nurse and she says washign your hands once an hour is probably the best thing you can do. For all infections - including colds.

There are a few emetophobes on MN, have a search - or if desparate I'm sure we can alert one or two to talk you through it.

Friend agrees with Twiglett, vomiting is not inevitable.

Take care.

Hi, twoisenough, if you look on the Feeling Depressed topic you will find some threads on the subject of being an emetaphobe.

Wash hands before preparing food.
Wash hands before eating.
Keep all taps and loo clean.
Dont share towels.
Dont let kids share cutlery during meals, etc
Hope it's all ok.

Hello, twoisenoughmum. I am another emetophobe. I feel exactly as you do when in this situation and I have 4 children so more room for the bugs to go round IYSWIM. I feel bad just seeing this thread in the active conversations, but I can't not look (like people have to llok at road accidents) and I can't not post as I feel so strongly for you.

I think you can only wash hands, clean things touched by sick person, especially loo, sink etc, perhaps give them their own towel to use, and pray all the time, even if you are not religious! That is what I do.

That said, I do usually find that if an illness starts with diarrhoea, it is unlikely to cause any sickness - not so the other way round.

Thanks so much to all of you for replying. DD not showing any signs of illness, the runny poo was at about 6.45pm. She didn't go to bed until 8.30 after enjoying an energetic bout of the crocodile monster game with DH and DS. No more runny poo, you'll be relieved to hear. Meanwhile, I've been knocking back the brandy (someone told me once it kills the bugs in your stomach) so not feeling too bad. On reviewing her diet today with DH, I discovered she had bran flakes for breakfast (she loves them, calls them brown flakes, LOL) and a little packet of raisins. DH in charge of breakfast while I have shower. I gave her grapes in her lunch bag, then she had pasta with home made tomato sauce, about 10 olives (her particular passion) followed by fresh raspberries and rhubarb yog at tea time. Maybe just too much fibre today? fingers crossed xxxx, meanwhile I'm going to seek out other emetophobs on MN - thanks nearlythree and others who have suggested same. Incidentally, I may be twoisenough but have sneaking envy for anyone who is going to have another baby. If only I hadn't just turned 44 ... here's to a peaceful night and you are such a supportive bunch of girls, warm snuggly feelings to all (perhaps no more swigs of brandy for me would be a good thing).

How are things today in your household twoisenough?

All quiet, thanks for asking. Was woken up at 3.15am by DS wanting to get into bed with me and then didn't really get back to sleep after that cos thinking about it all, also maybe had a little too much brandy last night. So knackered but at least not having to look after sick children, until the next time ...

Me too another emetophobe, DS has been lying on the sofa since he came home from school so I too am worrying especially as I was sick last night after aerobics. I put it down to not used to exercising but am now worried I have had a bug and passed it to DS. He just polished off some pudding and custard though so fingers crossed he will be okay.

Hope he is OK creepydazy.

Thanks ills

Magic medicine (calpol) seems to have done the trick.