Norovirus nightmare (TW - d&v)

[noronightmare85]

Hello wise mumsnetters,

What would you do in this desperate situation?

Family of 5 (me, DH, twins aged 1 and DS4).
Twin 1 came down with gastroenteritis (presumed norovirus) on Sunday. Ended up in A&E as couldn't keep even water down.
I've been cleaning up a lot of vomit since Sunday whilst trying to look after a clingy but relatively well twin 2 (and prevent the spread). It's been bad but manageable.

Today twin 1 finally a bit better but the inevitable - me, twin 2 and DS4 down with horrendous vomiting. None of us can keep water down, it's awful. Husband has been amazing and managed to get us through the day but I am sure he is going to get it by tomorrow.

I know looking after kids when you're sick is part and parcel of being a parent and we have chosen to have them (although didn't expect twins) but I am really struggling to look after anyone in this state and don't know how we will manage to do the basics to look after the kids.

No family around. Nearest A&E is 20 min
Drive away.

I am thinking options are:

• phone GP in the morning and beg for anti emetics prescription to at least stop the vomiting.
• ask in local Facebook group if there is anyone who could do emergency mothers help type work (sterilising cups, laundry etc).

What would you do? Please be kind, I am feeling very fragile and probably not thinking straight.
Thank you

Absolutely try and get the anti emetics I think anything to try and ease the situation.

im so sorry this sounds so tough. Get any help you can, I’m just a bit worried that people might be a bit cautious and not want to catch anything so not sure, but maybe put it out there and just be honest to see if anyone can help. There might be someone who is willing to come, let them know you understand if they have to wear gloves/masks etc.

in the meantime just do whatever you can to get by and fingers crossed it won’t last long. Food deliveries, don’t worry too much about the house or screen time. I’m sorry it’s not much help!

I think Facebook group- if friendly- is a good shout, doorstep drops of essentials can be a lifeline. If you've got a supply of dioralyte and bleach/wipes etc that should help. Rest and hydrate and do the absolute minimum in terms is keeping things and people clean and safe- this too shall pass.

If DH goes down with it I'd offer to do shifts so you get some sleep. We both had flu at the same time many years ago ans ended up hiring somebody from local nanny agency to look after DD as we were proper poorly at the same time for 36 hours- ghastly at the time but we coped.

It's a horrible prospect, but very likely self-limiting and should be over within a few days. Bon courage and fingers crossed it passes quickly.

It's really hard to get anti emetics prescribed now. For Norovirus they're very unlikely to prescribe. They'll recommend staying hydrated and that's about it, let it pass.
I've gone through it several times as a lone parent of a young child with zero help.
There are two of you so you're going to have to tag team it. It won't last forever. If you're both equally helping it won't be so bad. It will pass.

I couldn't think of anything worse than having a stranger in the house cleaning up after us while we all shit and spew up constantly 😂

Just do what you need to do to get through it. Leave any unessential house work, take turns to rest if your husband gets it, order food in so you don't have to cook (only if this is affordable obv). It will pass.

Myself and DS (3yo) had it in Feb at the same time so I feel you @noronightmare85 😬 it really was grim!! DH was offshore working so we just had to get on with it.

As others have said, would you really want a stranger in the house while you’re all so poorly? I can’t think of anything worse! And I certainly wouldn’t be volunteering myself to go into a house with 5 people with noro to be honest! 😅
Im also not sure that your GP would prescribe anti sickness meds for a stomach bug. Better getting it out and doing what you can to stay hydrated.

Do you have ice lolly moulds? I made up weak sugar free squash into lollies for DS as it’s the only way I could get him to keep any kind of fluids in. Even sipping water he was bringing straight back up.

Hope you’re all on the mend soon 🤞🏼

Thanks all for kind comments and suggestions, greatly appreciated

It is really awful when this happens.

My only advice is to keep to one room downstairs and one bedroom, lots of towels, lots of TV. See if you can get someone to drop off a supply of plain biscuits like rich tea and let the kids eat them if they want to.

Hunker down, this too shall pass

Poor you. It's a horrendous situation.

You can buy Antiemetics at the pharmacy. Send DH or a neighbour to get you some. (I don't know if the OTC ones will be safe for children but at least it will help you to feel better yourself).

Unless the kids stop urinating or become unresponsive you shouldn't need A&E.
If you did decide to go to A&E, phone ahead and insist they keep you separate from the main waiting room. It's imperative that people with highly contagious D&V are not sitting in a waiting room with kids who are already potentially seriously unwell with an illness.

Don’t involve anyone else other than to ask them to drop supplies off at your door. It’s highly contagious. Also, do not do to A&E unless one of the kids gets dangerously dehydrated (not urinating). You will spread it to people who are already ill.

for the poorly kids, a teaspoon of water every 20 minutes (or dioralyte if they’ll tolerate it) should help them to keep fluids down. Dry toast only when they start to feel better. You could ask someone to pick up antiemetics for you as you can get them over the counter. Avomine or Benadryl work well but will knock you out. Same for you ask the kids - tiniest sips of water, nibble dry toast when you’re past the worst and hungry, no dairy for a couple of weeks.

PS Bleach the fuck out of everything including touch points like door handles and light switches

It'll pass, OP. Hang on to that. It can also lift pretty much as suddenly as it comes on, so I'm sure within the next 24 hours you'll be through.

Thanks for the sympathy, moral support and the great advice here. Has helped me through a grim day but I seem to be slightly better this evening- thank god!

Will defo send DH to pharmacy in the morning, provided he's well. He seems to be ok so far.

Hoping we all turn a corner tomorrow.

Thanks again, hope this thread helps others in a similar situation in the future.

Dioralyte (by the teaspoon) helps a lot

Stay hydrated. You will need a bit of sugar too, especially young kids, I have learned this the hard way, but a few sips of orange juice, perhaps diluted with water will help.