Terrified of stomach flu

[Anonymous]

so my son is in 1st grade and there was an outbreak (maybe still going on) of a stomach bug last month. I am terrified he will get it and give it to me. I am PHOBIC beyond words. I try to get him to wash his hands and use wetwipes but he pretty much refuses. Bribery doesn't work. Begging. Screaming. I feel like I am losing my mind.

Help.

[Anonymous]

Help with flu prevention or help with your anxiety? Did he get the shot?

[Anonymous]

What are you phobic about? That might help figure out how to help. Are you scared of him getting sick and potential complications? Vomit? Germs?

1st things first. You might want to look into getting some therapy to figure out the root of your phobia. I really can't imagine screaming and begging at a child to wash his hands and if he's only in 1st grade, there are going to be many years ahead of illnesses going around. You can't scream at him every time. It isn't healthy.

Second. You need to be realistic. How often are you making him wash his hands and use wetwipes? When he comes home from school? After he touches anything? Before he touches you? I'm guessing it might be excessive and if he is refusing so much. plus, being screamed at isn't exactly going to make a kid want to wash his hands.

I'd look into therapy to deal with your phobia. What you are describing isn't healthy.

[Anonymous]

I just want him to wash/rinse/wipe before he eats and shoves his hands in his mouth. He plays in the dirt and grime and then eats with dirty hands non stop. I have sought out therapy, trust me. It is a legit phobia. It was a struggle to get through the first 6 years! I do a good job, but it is the fear of germs, cleaning up vomit, me getting sick. I can't explain it in words -- hence why it is a phobia. I am new here (this was my first post ever) so please be kind. I just came for support/rational talk about things.

[Anonymous]

It's unrealistic to expect him to wash enough to ease your anxiety.

More therapy and meds could help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just want him to wash/rinse/wipe before he eats and shoves his hands in his mouth. He plays in the dirt and grime and then eats with dirty hands non stop. I have sought out therapy, trust me. It is a legit phobia. It was a struggle to get through the first 6 years! I do a good job, but it is the fear of germs, cleaning up vomit, me getting sick. I can't explain it in words -- hence why it is a phobia. I am new here (this was my first post ever) so please be kind. I just came for support/rational talk about things.

i understand, but screaming at him isn't healthy. I am being kind in suggesting you seek further therapy and possibly meds.

[Anonymous]

no health insurance, sadly. meds really don't help phobias. I reached out to see if there were other mothers dealing with this stuff. I guess maybe this isn't the right board. thanks for the suggestions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:no health insurance, sadly. meds really don't help phobias. I reached out to see if there were other mothers dealing with this stuff. I guess maybe this isn't the right board. thanks for the suggestions.

well people did try to be helpful and no one was mean or rude. Maybe do some research into how to cure phobias? There must be some stuff online or support groups. And if your son eats with dirty hands, take some time to cool off before yelling. Unfortunately, it could be creating a dynamc of the more you force the issue, the more defiant he gets. Has he been sick often?

[Anonymous]

so you throw up for a day and lose some weight. Why the phobia?

[Anonymous]

do you have a partner?

[Anonymous]

no partner. I don't yell. I am pretty dang skinny. I guess I wanted some reassurance that adults don't get it as much or it isn't as bad as the school makes it. Again, its fine and I appreciate the feedback.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:no partner. I don't yell. I am pretty dang skinny. I guess I wanted some reassurance that adults don't get it as much or it isn't as bad as the school makes it. Again, its fine and I appreciate the feedback.

oh ok, you mentioned screaming in your original post. Why not get a flu shot? Not costly out of pocket. I think I paid $20 last year.

[Anonymous]

This is what you need to do: cognitive behavioral therapy. It works well for phobias, and in a fairly short period of time. My son was cured of a long term, very bad, phobia in less than two months.

Medication can help through rough patches or if you are too anxious to access the CBT, but the CBT is the permanent fix.

What you are looking for is for others to reassure you that you won't confront the thing about which you have a phobia. But no one can because one day you will, even if not this time. You will vomit and have an upset stomach and deal with germs. Its not only normal, its actually healthy for your immune system.

So are you ready to actually deal with the problem or are you going to continue to make excuses? because when you say you are losing your mind, its past time.

[Anonymous]

I think you just need to be reminded that stomach flu isn't really all that big a deal. The real deal Influenza is a little more scary. But just the stomach flu? Seriously. It normally lasts for about 24-48 hours. That's it. You'll feel lousy. You might throw up or have diarrhea. That's about the worst of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:no partner. I don't yell. I am pretty dang skinny. I guess I wanted some reassurance that adults don't get it as much or it isn't as bad as the school makes it. Again, its fine and I appreciate the feedback.

oh ok, you mentioned screaming in your original post. Why not get a flu shot? Not costly out of pocket. I think I paid $20 last year.

The stomach flu is not influenza. They're separate viruses.