Bugs

Every time I changed school I had a winter of colds etc - every school has its own set of bugs. I knew other teachers who were the same.

Both my husband and I were microbiologists and are often criticised by our children over our rather careless attitude to hygiene. This is quite common among microbiologists as we know where the real risks are, but don’t try to disinfect everything in sight. Despite, (or maybe because of) our not very clean house, our children weren’t sick very much growing up, apart from usual childhood illnesses. We did give them every vaccine offered and would have got chickenpox vaccine if available as it can be very nasty.

Many children pick up bugs when they mix with other children and sometimes pass them on to adults, which is annoying, but not dangerous unless the person is immunosuppressed. Anxiety and stress can also lead to illness, including suppressing immune system, so worrying about the bugs may increase your risk of catching something, Ethelbags.

I think that everyone hates being sick or having the runs, Ethel, but not sure why your dd panicked when you told her you'd seen a moth?

ethel Remind your DD and DGD that flies spread germs but spiders get rid of flies, so the poor spider is doing more good than the bleach is!

ethelbags1 I don’t know your backstory, so I sincerely hope that you can take my comments with the genuine goodwill that they are meant.. have you tried speaking to your gp about this? Is it possible that this is a genuine phobia? Your fear of germs is taking over your life, and preventing you from living day to day. This is so sad, and you may be able to get help. A gp may be able to offer you counselling or coping strategies to help you to deal with this. I hope you and your family find a way to enjoy your holiday

Thank you squiffy for that kind remark, I also just wanted to add that no we've seen no nits yet but we have all looked so hard and worms none either but my dd couldn't cope with those. She panicked when I said I saw a moth. And both she and dgd scream in terror if they see a spider, out with the bleach

Just to add that my mother has just had a sick bug and was banned from seeing everyone for 48 hours about 3 weeks ago, we just hate being sick or having the runs, I can't spell the proper word for it. We are going to a caravan next week so all very concerned about being ill.?

I have a very low immune system too ethel but when I was very ill once it was nothing to do with anything I had caught from the DGC.

I understand where you are coming from Ethel as I have had the same problems after chemo and I can still be very ill when GDs bring bugs home.

etheltbags I remember why you’re so concerned about catching bugs. If you avoid the children while they’re poorly then hopefully you’ll be OK. Take care of yourself.

ps I really hate vomiting bugs.
and I do remember having a kidney infection when I was a child but can't remember the treatment for it, probably pre-anti-biotics.

The first year at school they seem to pick up everything that is going and GP seem to catch everything from them too.

Washing hands is sensible but don't go beserk with the cleaning with disinfectant - germs are normal.
At least chicken-pox is out of the way now.

DS always says that a bug goes round just before the school holidays and the DGC get it as soon as they break up and are going somewhere!

Has she had nits yet? or, worse, worms?
Just asking.

The sooner you all catch these bugs the sooner you will build up some defence.

If you stay away from the poor child each time she gets ill, you’ll never see her!

It’s normal for them to catch everything going when they first go to school amongst new children, it’s nothing to worry about.

I’m not sure why you are all so scared about being unwell? Again, it’s fairly normal when you look after the GCs.

BlueBelle is right, try to relax. All these bugs will pass and children, in particular, are very resilient. They are all (I hope) vaccinated against the childhood diseases we had. I had measles, whooping cough and pneumonia all in the first year of school! So I suppose the bugs that get passed around seem quite scary. Has your family been to see the doctor or pharmacist for effective remedies? You accuse your poor mother of being dirty, but it seems to me that she's so far escaped the bugs besetting your DD's family.

All kids pick up things when they first go to school especially if they ve been protected too much ( not playing out or being in other kids company at play school etc ) I don’t think kidney infection are common in small kids

I would imagine all this over cleaning washing and worrying is making you more susceptible not less, you sound as if youve become almost phobic and this phobia will pass on to the little girl who is now banned from seeing her other grandmother, goodness me calm down, unless of course you or the other gran are very ill with compromised immune systems it all sounds normal just stop worrying