Toddler with Stomach Flu...

Updated on April 26, 2010
C.M. asks from Phoenix, AZ
9 answers

My 2 year old got his first stomach flu, and threw up for the first time tonight. My husband had it about a week ago, so I thought after a couple of days, we would be in the clear, but I guess not. How do you deal with it since you can't tell them to get sick in the toilet? I have a massive phobia of throwing up and am so extremely worried that I will get it next. Have any of you mamas avoided getting it despite others in the house being ill? Are there sure-fire ways to avoid it? I'm already a diligent hand washer and thought I had sanitized everything after my husband was sick (disinfectant spray & wipes, bleached the toilets, etc.). My son is currently with my mother since I am incapable of currently handling the situation. Any advice on how to get through it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

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So What Happened?

Yes, it is a real phobia (emetophobia), so it's not like I can just "get over it" as some of you are saying (who have obviously never had a phobia). Also, I am due any day with our second child, so can not afford to get the flu or afford to have it in the house with a newborn. Finally, if my husband is unable to be home when they are sick, then they are 100% off to a grandparent's house. This is something we have spoken about as a family before we even had a child. It may sound cold and harsh to some of you, but those of you who understand anything about phobias will get it.

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J.F.

answers from Phoenix on

I have 4 children and I have escaped the vomiting flu twice now. Once my husband got it too, but I did not. What I do is sanitize my hands Constatnly with hand sanitizer. I also walk around spraying everything with lysol - door handles, sink faucets, the air of every room, remote controls, toys... I wash sheets, towels, pillow cases and pajamas constantly in hot water. Good luck! I hope you too can avoid this illness!

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L.N.

answers from New York on

once it is inside the house, everyone gets it.
you need to get over your vomit phobia. i know it's gross but it comes with territory.
put a bucket next to your son and stay close when you see one coming try to get it in the bucket. lysol everything. open windows, even if it is cold, the colder means the better. lots of BRAT diet for the child. and brace yourself :) we have had a stomach flu going through our house two eyars ago. lasted about 20 days until we were on the mend. once the last one got it and got over it, got the family out for the day and i rewashed, lysoled everything. toys included, doorknobs, replaced toothbrushes etc.

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S.M.

answers from Casper on

Eat healthy and ramp up on herbs. Garlic and onions are good for starting your immune system. Meanwhile eat foods that are puke-friendly (ok, bad term, but I had to come up with something). Carrot juice, bananas, some foods are just easier coming back up, and you might do that for your little one too. I'm sure there are lists online. With the flu your best bet is to wash your hands ofen, also open the windows to let in fresh air. Also be sure to get enough rest. Lay down when he does, and get enough sleep at night. At that, I'm going to bed.

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K.E.

answers from Sacramento on

I hate to say this but you may need to see somebody if you have a true "phobia" about vomiting because it won't end anytime soon. My 13 year old just had a flu and didn't make it to the bathroom on time and ended up getting it all over the carpet at 3am. What can you do? You can't very well leave it there and you can't send the kids to grandma's everytime the kids are sick. Is it really a phobia or are you just grossed out by it? As far as sure fire ways to avoid. No there are not any, it is hit or miss. Sometimes my husband gets sick after the kids and I don't or vice versa or we both get, or neither of us get it. As far as what to do when they have a flu. We keep the kids close by either by sleeping with them or near them, and make sure to have a bowl nearby. You can hear the beginning signs of the impending vomit (usually they sit up then cough or gag) and grab the bowl quickly. If your in another room you will be too late. It works most of time.

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A.

answers from Albuquerque on

In order to lesson the chances of illness like this in the future, do all you can do increase your beneficial gut flora. Probiotics will help prevent these flus and, when you do get them (because you will),lessen their duration. You're pretty lucky your pregnancies don't come with vomiting! Mine were full of it! I would consider therapy for the phobia, just because kids will throw up. Especially when you have more than one and illness will have to run through the house.

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G.S.

answers from New York on

Open all the windows & lyesol the heck out of your house. The stomach flu germs are usually hit or miss - we've gone as far as about 10 days between victims & it is the worst. It is so hard to explain to a little one about what is going on - our 6 yr old daughter has gotten better but she used to get hysterical about getting sick.

Wash all of the linens (quilt too) in hot water, use clorox wipes to wipe down doorknobs, light switches, anything that may have been touched. Throw out old toothbrushes or throw them in the dishwasher to disinfect. Good luck!

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W.T.

answers from San Diego on

Probably a bit late for you since you have been exposed to your family members and it sounds like you have tried some things. You can certainly dose up on astragalus, vitamins C and D, and probiotics...but that's about it.

It sucks and it will run it's course. These things can be contagious for up to 3 weeks.

Hope you don't get it....I've had it twice this past season.

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M.H.

answers from Chicago on

Wash your hands often, Rinse your nose with saline, and gargle with salt water a few times a day. Don not touch your face. It might be eminiate, but these things can lessen the chances. it comes in through your nose and mouth. Good luck.

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D.W.

answers from Gainesville on

First I have to agree with Kristine E. You need to find a way to get thru this phobia because with little ones it is inevitable that they will get tummy bugs. Do you really want to pass your kids off everytime they get sick? How will that make them feel? These are things you need to consider and looking into either trying to get over this on your own or seek professional help.

I have managed in the past to avoid getting it when everyone else has. Hand washing, bleach spray, using a separate bathroom than the sick ones, not letting them into the kitchen, wiping everything-door handles and such down 2-3 times per day with bleach spray or wipes, spraying lysol into the air all seem to help. I also have a box of gloves that I wear duing the clean up when one of them gets sick. The problem is the tummy bugs are survivors and are very easily passed.

I usually keep a pail or something along those lines near the bed or couch for my son. I also cover the couch with a towel then a sheet so if he does get sick on the couch it's an easy clean up-just grab the end of the sheet, bring it to the middle and take every thing to the washer immediately. Don't have to touch anything.

Once he starts feeling that he can eat again keep it very simple use the braty diet-brat diet with yogurt to help replenish the good stuff in his system. Don't start regular solids too soon because it can irritate his tender system and keep the vomiting going.

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