I’m scared

[realtaken]

Hello:


I haven't been here in some time, but flu season is here full force and so I am here full force. I took my son to the pediatrician today for a scratch on his face that had become infected and it was like everyone in the city who was sick was there. The sick room was overflowing with kids into the well room where my son and I sat frozen. He was curious about the fish in the fish tank, so he went off to touch the infected glass. It took everything in me to sit there for the hour we waited. I asked the doctor why they were so busy and he said the stomach flu. I have been depressed and upset all day and I am worried one of us will get sick. I have so many health problems from the stress of this emetephobia sickness that I am not sure what to do anymore. I am a freak. I have some Prozac in my cabinet I haven't started yet and I am thinking now might be the time to start taking it. Does anyone have some uplifting words for this basket case mom?


Stephanie

[californiagirl]

I'm just curious---what state do you live in? It seems to be more prevalent in the northeast rather than the southwest.

[liriodendron]

I think a lot of people, both e-phobe and non-e-phobe alike would be
uncomfortable in that situation. I remember when I was a kid, the
pediatrician's office had two waiting rooms... One for sick'uns and one
for everyone else.



I know things are different in the adult world and it may not be easy
to switch doctors but you might see if you can find a pediatrician
who's office has separate waiting rooms.



EDIT: Not to "avoid" confronting a fear... I have promised to be
careful about telling people to "avoid" things.... just common sense
though, it's a risk that you don't need to take.


Edited by: liriodendron

[gubba]

Stephanie,


I too am a mom and the Pediatricians office freaks me out any time of the year. I do know the SV thing is awful here in Tennessee too, and I don't know where you are, but SV's are all over the place. My son did get it and so did my husband and it has been about a month ago. Oddly enough, I still get scared each day that he will get it again and I stay in panic mode all winter for that reason. I guess I assume that it is worse at this time of year however my son had it last spring as well. Who knows!!! I can tell you this, hand washing is the best thing you can do and I hate it since my hands are raw and bleeding, but I scrub so much and use that GERMX and I heard on a health show on T.V. that those things can cut the chances of family members getting an SV once a person in the house has one. The chances were cut by like 70-80% which is pretty high for me. I did not get it from them last month and I did wash hands, light switch plates, door knobs, blankets etc. I wore rubber gloves to clean toilets and anything else that I could. I know it sounds extreme, but it worked.


Keep washing hands and tell your child, no hands in mouth, eyes or nose!! My son has gotten really pretty good about that since he hated being sick...not EMET hate, but he did not like staying in the house and being so tired.


Smile and keep your chin up...SPRING is just around the corner and we can relax a bit more

[realtaken]

Thanks so much for your uplifting words and advice. I live in southern California, about 60 miles north of San Diego. I always wash hands. Unfortunately, we have to put ourselves in situations where we are exposed to germs. I just hope we don't get the sv.


Stephanie


Edited by: realtaken