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Managing anxiety while the rest of the household has a sickness bug

10 replies

NavyGuide · 04/07/2026 18:27

I suffer with anxiety and the youngest DS has brought a vomiting bug into the house and now partner is feeling nauseous unless laying down and eldest DS has started vomiting. I'm dad and I am full on freaking out about me coming down with it. It's like when is it going to happen.

Does anyone have any advice on how to handle this.

Thanks
A

OP posts:
Realisation14 · 04/07/2026 21:08

Do you have emetophobia (fear of vomiting) or germaphobia or the likes? Usually generalised anxiety disorder is not triggered by something like this.

If you're looking for practical prevention of spread tips, it's bleach everything in the rooms where vomiting occurred, wash your hands constantly and wash all clothes/bedding used during the bug on high temp.

If you're looking for anxiety relief, box breathing, meditation, refocus your mind onto a hobby, don't fight to get rid of anxious thoughts as it just makes them worse.

Octavia64 · 04/07/2026 21:10

Bucket and towels.

shellyleppard · 04/07/2026 21:11

Get plenty of ice lollies in for anyone who is thirsty but can't keep anything down. Bleach, bleach and more bleach. Also disposable puppy pads catch a lot of ick. On the bright side....its only one end not both 🤢😃

Keroppi · 04/07/2026 21:18

Are you scared of vomiting? Otherwise what are you anxious about?
Assign them their own blankets/towels and get them to lay on the sofa over that. Then hot wash and dettol their bedding, clothes and own sofa blanket.
Ginger tea for partner for the nausea
Bleach the bathrooms
Capful of dettol in the bath if you want to go old school lol
Do multiple layers of bedding with a towel between then for quick whipping off if it gets sicked on at night

NavyGuide · 04/07/2026 21:36

Realisation14 · 04/07/2026 21:08

Do you have emetophobia (fear of vomiting) or germaphobia or the likes? Usually generalised anxiety disorder is not triggered by something like this.

If you're looking for practical prevention of spread tips, it's bleach everything in the rooms where vomiting occurred, wash your hands constantly and wash all clothes/bedding used during the bug on high temp.

If you're looking for anxiety relief, box breathing, meditation, refocus your mind onto a hobby, don't fight to get rid of anxious thoughts as it just makes them worse.

I'm not diagnosed with a fear of vomiting however I think I do.

Thank you for the advice, I will try not fighting them !! :)

OP posts:
NavyGuide · 04/07/2026 21:37

Thank you all for your help :) I'll do these things

OP posts:
NinjaBoho · 05/07/2026 01:07

Feel your pain, this was me 2 weeks ago. First night in our new house and both kids decided to christen their new bedrooms by having a puke party! I have severe emetaphobia so i was beside myself! Bleach spray is your best friend right now, along with copious hand washing. Just remember - this too shall pass. If its any consolation, myself and husband didnt catch whatever the kids had despite being elbow deep in vom for 24 hours! Youve got this x

Applesdoremusings97 · 05/07/2026 12:30

i am not sure if this applies to you op bc it might depend on whether you are more worried about vomiting yourself or having to cope with others doing it.

For yourself:
I know this doesn’t sound very reassuring, but if you do get it, although it’s unpleasant, it’s a lot less anxiety inducing than thinking you might get it ifyswim!

It’s a bit like the very nervous period before exams; you feel better once you can crack on with them, however dire they are!

For others:
The key is being prepared!

Large sick bowls inserted in to generous sized bin bags with clumping cat litter or sanitary towels or kitchen roll in the bottom to absorb liquid so you can literally just close and double knot the bags and dispose. Have a few made up ready.

A box of surgical gloves

As others have said, make beds in layers with plastic sheets so in the event of an accident, you can whip one layer off. Old towels over old pillows.

Dettol wipe door handles, light switches, loo, sink, all taps etc

Keep washing your hands!

In the event of sickness in others, Vicks smeared just inside the nose works well to prevent yourself being nauseated by the smell. Also buy a packet of alcohol wipes from chemist and inhale those. It works!

Remember you are not wrong to be upset and anxious bc there is nothing worse than your dc being ill but you are allowed to handle it in your own way and don’t feel you have to be strong man. Breathe.

Stomach bugs are distressing bc of the unexpected nature of them. Try and distract yourself with podcasts and try to look at the situation from afar to put it in to perspective. This is a really unpleasant phase but it won’t last long and you will be fine! And it will build up your son’s immune system!

Bumble through the best you can just like the rest of us! 😃. Humour and swearing under your breath is your friend! As is a wee nip of whisky once everyone is safely in bed! Good luck!

Applesdoremusings97 · 05/07/2026 12:39

Oh and it’s very important that your little one drinks so set a timer and give him a few sips of flat lemonade or diluted rehydration powders from chemist every 15 mins. You can get quite a lot down that way.

And once they start to eat again, eliminate dairy, and focus on tiny squares of toast, or crackers, and once that goes down ok, a little home made apple and pear compote or chicken soup. Something very light.

LoafofSellotape · 05/07/2026 12:50

The best tip I have for not spreading I read on here and it is to line a bowl with a plastic bag,tie it and bin it after puking. Puking in the bathroom tends to spread it in my experience. Wash hands really thoroughly.

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