Emetophobia???(fear of vomiting and stomach virus)

I'm pretty new to this forum...I just joined for the sake of this. I have a day trip planned with my brother and other friends. My little brother had a terrible stomach bug Monday...since I am somewhat emetophobic I locked myself in my room all day while he was sick. We live in a four bedroom house with four bathrooms, my little brother used the one in my mom's room. While I stayed on my end. The only real exposure I have had was eating a kit kat he had his hands on but he only touched the wrapper, while I was eating it I only touched the wrapper and didn't touch the candy.

Yesterday morning my mother woke up feeling a little sick but she was still able to eat, drink, and keep foods down and even brought some home for me. I washed my hands before I ate it, and since then I have sanitized everything in the house. Every time I leave my room I wash my hands before I go back in. I used the house phone when my little brother was still was sick on Tuesday but he wasn't actively vomiting he just had the runs. I am just concerned because I don't like being sick and I want to go out with my friends Saturday. It has been like 4 days since all this happened. I think I am in the clear as I still have my appetite and I don't feel sick at all.

ODL, Hello and welcome to HealingWell. You can be contagious from a few days to two weeks, depending on which virus is causing your stomach flu (gastroenteritis). A number of viruses can cause gastroenteritis, including noroviruses and rotaviruses. The contagious period — the time during which a sick person can give the illness to others — is slightly different for each virus. With norovirus — the most common cause of viral gastroenteritis in adults — you're contagious from the moment you begin to feel ill. Symptoms appear within one to three days of exposure . Although you typically feel better after a day or two, you're contagious for at least three days after you've recovered. Some people may be contagious for up to two weeks after recovery. Also, children are often contagious for a longer period than are adults. The viruses that cause gastroenteritis are spread through close contact with infected people, such as by sharing food or eating utensils. Washing your hands or using hand sanitizer is the most effective way to stop the spread of these viruses to others. Reference: Mayo Staff The best treatment, from what I have learned, is CBT therapy.   CBT’s focus on thoughts and beliefs is applicable to a wide variety of symptoms. Because CBT has excellent scientific data supporting its use in the clinical treatment of mental illness, it has achieved wide popularity both for therapists and patients alike. Check out our resources at the top of the page and you will find several free online programs for CBT.   All you need to do is register and work the program at your own pace. I am posting links to 2 different programs. Free on-line CBT programs: http://www.moodgym.anu.edu.au/welcome http://ecouch.anu.edu.au/welcome Again, a warm welcome Kitt