DH has stomach flu-I'm scared...

GreeneyesP

My DH came home from work tonight and has barely left the bathroom.  Sorry for the graphicness, but it's coming out both ends.  I keep going in there with bleach and I am sleeping in the guest room tonight.  I've washed my hands a hundred times and I'm rerunning all the dishes in the dishwasher.  I'm about to sanitze the counters.  My mom thinks I'm being overly cautious, but I really, really, really, don't want to catch this. 

I'm 32 weeks and feeling like crap already, I don't want to risk the stomach flu because I don't know how it would affect the baby, and like I said, I feel like poo from regular pg stuff.  Do you think I'm overreacting?

(I got a flu shot almost 3 weeks ago).

salt78

Honestly, I'd keep my distance from him, but if he just came home this evening sick, you have likely already been exposed to it if it is a stomach flu. Maybe you won't get it though. I'll keep my fingers crossed that he just ate something bad. (It sounds like he could have food poisoning.)

Babycakes29

salt78:

Honestly, I'd keep my distance from him, but if he just came home this evening sick, you have likely already been exposed to it if it is a stomach flu. Maybe you won't get it though. I'll keep my fingers crossed that he just ate something bad. (It sounds like he could have food poisoning.)

I agree totally. If its the stomach flu, you've definitely already been exposed BUT I would totally behave the same as you! I'm like that when I'm NOT pregnant! Stomach flu is THE WORST so I could care less if I seem like I'm going overboard in trying not to get it!

But it does seem highly probable that he might have food poisoning. My DH was sick as a dog yesterday and came home from work early. He spent a decent amount of time in the bathroom when he first got home. I felt so bad for the poor guy that I gave him some of my leftover Zofran! BUT he woke up this morning just fine so clearly he just ate something bad.

nomi729

I just had the stomach flu for 24 hours last weekend. It was awful but I survived. My Dr said it's inevitable for a pregnant woman to not get sick. Also, I just got an email from "what to expect" and they were saying that after 30 weeks your likelihood of getting sick goes up because your immune system is basically going to the baby. 

Mrs.Wifey318

Did you get your flu shot? If he is sick now you have already been exposed. I wouldn't worry too much. Just make sure you both wash your hands and keep things clean. DH had Swine Flu the first time I was pregnant. We didn't have a guest room so I slept with him and never got even a touch of it. GL!

mintea

GreeneyesP:

(I got a flu shot almost 3 weeks ago).

Aw, your poor husband! I also hope you don't catch it, and think you're not being too cautious.Is there a spare bathroom you could use so you don't have to keep bleaching?

Anyhow, "stomach flu" (gastroenteritis) is not caused by the influenza virus, so the flu shot won't be relevant. Arm yourself with Lysol!

 

Kriz_b

I couldn't even imagine the stomach flu. My 3 yr old is awesome at sharing  and I've got one hell of a cold from him that is causing me issues sleeping. My nose is stuffed and my chest is stuffed. I'm taking my puffer and it's doing nothing. Flu? No thank you. This is bad enough.

kris_kelsey

"the stomach flu" is not the flu at all.  A intestinal illness (where it comes out both ends) is usually a virus though it can be bacterial, and it is not influenza.  Your flu shot will do nothing for you.  The best you can do is try to keep distance and use frequent handwashing. 

For the record the flu is a respiratory illness and MAY have a small amount of stomach upset in children, but not adults....probably cuz kids are more likely to swallow their snot and it makes them feel sick and adults will more likely blow their nose.

A S-ski

Like pps have said, you've already been exposed and your flu shot will not help as it is not the same illness at all.  You've done all you can do but that doesn't mean you won't get it.  If you do, it will be miserable but you and the baby will be fine.

Annya26

Hopefully you don't catch it, but if you do then don't stress too much because as miserable as it will make you, your LO is probably fine. I had a REALLY nasty one last weekend (probably similar to your husband) and it was so horrible I was actually crying out with pain but baby was fine.

I did get dehydrated, and it did cause contractions but no real labor, no change to the cervix and baby is still happy as a clam in there. Just keep an eye on your temp and make sure to let your Dr. know if you do get sick.

Keeping my fx for you though cause it is truly miserable and being pregnant just makes it that much worse. 

 

nickert2000

My son was sick last week and we survived [so far at least]

sleep in a different room for several nites.

Have him spray down the bathroom each time after he is sick with a bleach and water solution [for Norovirus lysol does not work] and you spray down the house at least once a day with a different spray bottle [a few teaspoons of bleach in water spray bottle].

use a different bathroom if possible for a week or 2 and make him wash his hands and spray the bathroom down daily [while he is better the virus can still be found in stool/poop for up to two weeks in some people].

Wash and dry everything in HOT water and change the towels  [a few times a day] and sheets once a day over the next few days. You can have him put the stuff in the washer once he is feeling better.

My husband says I am a pain in the ass when someone is sick but after having it tear thru the whole house one time he is willing to put up with it.