Emetophobia - any fellow sufferers? What do you do to cope?

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PennyPop said:
Hello all!
Long time no speak, how is everyone getting on?

Are you going ok with the kids going back? I didn't sleep a wink last night worrying as my youngest started nursery today...I can't stop my brain thinking and worrying about her catching something 😭

I hope you're all coping ok, I'm always here for a chat if anyone's struggling ❤
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Hi!! My 3 year old starts nursery on Monday. I’ve cried a few times to be honest. I’m just scared of everything. Lone parent with no village and emetophobia, great combination!!! We’ve got this x
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RachRN86 said:
I was ok until pick up time when my daughter announced that the boy she sits next to was sick next to her in class so now I'm a bundle of nerves. I just don't think I've got another winter of anxiety in me
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Someone puked on the first day back? Oh Christ I feel your pain. Kids surprise us though with their immune system. Plus the boy that was sick might have been sick for a non contagious issue like nerves maybe?
 
swimming said:
Hi!! My 3 year old starts nursery on Monday. I’ve cried a few times to be honest. I’m just scared of everything. Lone parent with no village and emetophobia, great combination!!! We’ve got this x
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Someone puked on the first day back? Oh Christ I feel your pain. Kids surprise us though with their immune system. Plus the boy that was sick might have been sick for a non contagious issue like nerves maybe?
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She said he felt sick from lunch time and then was sick about 3pm. I'm hoping and praying perhaps he ran about too much after eating or something hasn't agreed with him. I'm desperately trying not to let it take over my head but I'm finding it really hard to even cuddle my daughter just incase
 
RachRN86 said:
She said he felt sick from lunch time and then was sick about 3pm. I'm hoping and praying perhaps he ran about too much after eating or something hasn't agreed with him. I'm desperately trying not to let it take over my head but I'm finding it really hard to even cuddle my daughter just incase
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You can cuddle her she won’t be contagious that quickly, and as long as you both wash your hands with hot water and soap! Plus, all her school uniform for today put on a hot wash with some dettol detergent and spray her shoes and bag with that dettol house cleaning stuff
 
RachRN86 said:
She said he felt sick from lunch time and then was sick about 3pm. I'm hoping and praying perhaps he ran about too much after eating or something hasn't agreed with him. I'm desperately trying not to let it take over my head but I'm finding it really hard to even cuddle my daughter just incase
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I totally feel this, I would be the same, but you can cuddle her for sure. It doesn't mean you'll get something. Hopefully he doesn't have anything contagious, but try not to let that get in the way. I totally appreciate that's easier said than done - I can already feel trest hat I'm getting a bit distant from my daughter and we've not even had something like that in the mix yet. Please don't let this affect the cuddles, I'm sure she'll be fine. Get some sleep and you'll feel better in the morning.

Come back to the thread if you need us ❤️
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@swimming I just can't imagine dealing with this phobia alone. I know we're not there in person but come back to the thread if you need us, we're here ❤️
 
RachRN86 said:
She said he felt sick from lunch time and then was sick about 3pm. I'm hoping and praying perhaps he ran about too much after eating or something hasn't agreed with him. I'm desperately trying not to let it take over my head but I'm finding it really hard to even cuddle my daughter just incase
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With sickness bugs it’s the bodily fluids that contain the virus, so you can absolutely cuddle your daughter without catching anything 😊 if she does become unwell (fingers crossed she doesn’t 🤞🏻) then just make sure you wash your hands regularly and if possible wear a face mask if you need to clean anything up to reduce the possibility of ingesting any of the virus!
 
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Izzyt88 said:
With sickness bugs it’s the bodily fluids that contain the virus, so you can absolutely cuddle your daughter without catching anything 😊 if she does become unwell (fingers crossed she doesn’t 🤞🏻) then just make sure you wash your hands regularly and if possible wear a face mask if you need to clean anything up to reduce the possibility of ingesting any of the virus!
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I've never heard this before. So how do bugs get caught by people who haven't been in touch with bodily fluids? I thought the germs were spread by kids breathing on each other in confined spaces! Genuinely curious to know more (but too scared to Google!).
 
PennyPop said:
I've never heard this before. So how do bugs get caught by people who haven't been in touch with bodily fluids? I thought the germs were spread by kids breathing on each other in confined spaces! Genuinely curious to know more (but too scared to Google!).
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It's the vomit and poo that's contagious which is why hand washing is so important. My worry is that the boy was sat next to my daughter when he was sick so she may have ingested particles from the vomit or they could have been on her.
 
PennyPop said:
I've never heard this before. So how do bugs get caught by people who haven't been in touch with bodily fluids? I thought the germs were spread by kids breathing on each other in confined spaces! Genuinely curious to know more (but too scared to Google!).
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Lack of handwashing usually! Imagine you’ve just changed your poorly child’s nappy or cleaned up after your poorly child and not washed your hands afterwards - everything you then touch can get contaminated with the virus. You could pop to the shop or any other public place and touch doors, handles, food items etc and unknowingly spread the virus. I don’t say this to scaremonger at all - if you wash your hands before eating etc, you’d be washing the virus away anyway so should still be able to avoid it!
 
Daughter has just informed me that the kid is back at school today! This is why it spreads so far and wide, nobody seems to stick to the 48hr rule. So in feeling like it's just a matter of time now
 
Can I join you guys?

Struggling because there's a good handful of kids off already (with things that are unconfirmed, I'm just assuming the obvious) and I always find that at this time of year, it's just a waiting game.

We managed to avoid any sickness bugs last year but the year before was pretty bad. Eldest is old enough to understand germs and will make sure hands are washed etc but youngest is a loose cannon 😦

And yes, people not sticking to the 48 hour rule drives me crazy. Especially when I know the parents and they're doctors/nurses/teachers. Although the eldest had someone off Monday/Tuesday, back yesterday then off again today (and I know that one is stomach related cause I overheard a conversation).
 
lived with emetophobia since my kids were tiny, all grown up now but hasnt got any easier. my boy lives at home, 23, and im scared that much i find it so hard to sleep at night, even now, at his age 😒 also find it hard seeing my grandkids cos of germs etc

such an awful phobia, takes over your life!!
 
RachRN86 said:
It's the vomit and poo that's contagious which is why hand washing is so important. My worry is that the boy was sat next to my daughter when he was sick so she may have ingested particles from the vomit or they could have been on her.
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Oh I see! I always thought that by the time the vomiting had begun they were no longer contagious. This makes more sense, thank you. Fingers crossed your little one is ok! 🤞🏼
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Izzyt88 said:
Lack of handwashing usually! Imagine you’ve just changed your poorly child’s nappy or cleaned up after your poorly child and not washed your hands afterwards - everything you then touch can get contaminated with the virus. You could pop to the shop or any other public place and touch doors, handles, food items etc and unknowingly spread the virus. I don’t say this to scaremonger at all - if you wash your hands before eating etc, you’d be washing the virus away anyway so should still be able to avoid it!
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Makes sense! I've trained my 2 to wash their hands when they get home from anywhere but obviously that's out of my control when they're at school and nursery! 😫 We're all very rigorous hand washers on this house, mainly because of my phobia. My mum thinks I overwash but I simply can't help it!
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RachRN86 said:
Daughter has just informed me that the kid is back at school today! This is why it spreads so far and wide, nobody seems to stick to the 48hr rule. So in feeling like it's just a matter of time now
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I hate people who don't stick to the rule , it's not just the school rule - it's an NHS guideline! 😤 Schools should be calling parents to come get their kids if they appear back before the 48hrs!
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InanimateObject said:
Can I join you guys?

Struggling because there's a good handful of kids off already (with things that are unconfirmed, I'm just assuming the obvious) and I always find that at this time of year, it's just a waiting game.

We managed to avoid any sickness bugs last year but the year before was pretty bad. Eldest is old enough to understand germs and will make sure hands are washed etc but youngest is a loose cannon 😦

And yes, people not sticking to the 48 hour rule drives me crazy. Especially when I know the parents and they're doctors/nurses/teachers. Although the eldest had someone off Monday/Tuesday, back yesterday then off again today (and I know that one is stomach related cause I overheard a conversation).
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Welcome! I hope it helps you to have a little support thread!
Winter is horrible isn't it, all the windows and doors and shut and the kids just fester at school don't they.
It's just the worst phobia isn't it. I feel like it's a waiting game too, especially now my youngest has started nursery...it's just the worst feeling isn't it.
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alj said:
lived with emetophobia since my kids were tiny, all grown up now but hasnt got any easier. my boy lives at home, 23, and im scared that much i find it so hard to sleep at night, even now, at his age 😒 also find it hard seeing my grandkids cos of germs etc

such an awful phobia, takes over your life!!
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Completely takes over, it's so hard to live with. Totally understand what you're saying. I loose a lot of sleep at night too.
 
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I spent all weekend with my SIL and her baby and they ended up having D&V badly on the Monday morning. I spent 48hours barely eating (just plain bread) but in the end was ok - we weren't around them when they were symptomatic which I think is key (as someone said above it's the particles which are the issue). If your daughter does end up poorly wear a mask and keep clean - I keep anti-back wipes on hand when we have kids visiting so I can clean doorhandles and anything else they might touch.

Similarly I have problems with people coming into the office within 48hrs of being unwell! We literally can WFH so why be a martyr and come in?? Very irresponsible.
 
I'm actually really annoyed that the school allowed him to return, what if there are immunocompromised children in the class, or children with immunocompromised adults at home. It's completely irresponsible
 
RachRN86 said:
I'm actually really annoyed that the school allowed him to return, what if there are immunocompromised children in the class, or children with immunocompromised adults at home. It's completely irresponsible
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I totally agree with you. It boils my piss when not only do people openly boast about going on fun days out with their kids when they are ill but the school thing too.

I fell out with some friends last Christmas when their daughter who was 5 at the time, had been throwing up all day long but they still took her to a Xmas party because they’re paid for tickets and she said she felt ok. A Christmas party! I honestly despise some people it makes me want to just hide away indoors but I can’t because my child is too hyper and needs to be outdoors
 
It's possible that he doesn't have a bug because he'd still not be feeling well to go in the next day. Some kids are just a bit vommy - my brother would do it a lot to get out of school or get attention (probably part of the reason I have this phobia!).
 
Beatrix said:
It's possible that he doesn't have a bug because he'd still not be feeling well to go in the next day. Some kids are just a bit vommy - my brother would do it a lot to get out of school or get attention (probably part of the reason I have this phobia!).
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Yes this is true!
Last year my little boy had a dreadful cold and cough and was too young to blow his nose so he kept swallowing (gross I know but he’s only 2 lol), and in the end his stomach must have said hell nah to this, and he hiccuped a sicky burp followed by a load of vomit. And I was terrified I didn’t eat for 48 hours. But he was absolutely fine immediately after. And my friend said if it was a tummy bug then he would have refused food and been flat for at least 24 hours.
 
swimming said:
I totally agree with you. It boils my piss when not only do people openly boast about going on fun days out with their kids when they are ill but the school thing too.

I fell out with some friends last Christmas when their daughter who was 5 at the time, had been throwing up all day long but they still took her to a Xmas party because they’re paid for tickets and she said she felt ok. A Christmas party! I honestly despise some people it makes me want to just hide away indoors but I can’t because my child is too hyper and needs to be outdoors
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I didn't speak to my best friend for months as she allowed me and my OH to babysit when her kid had been sick the day before and soiled himself earlier in the day. He ended up sick when we were there and thankfully my OH was there and cleaned up but then he ended up really sick which spun me out. All because my friend was desperate to go out and lied by omission. A year lated I've forgiven her but she still asks for us to babysit and I never will again.
 
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