How We Survived a Stomach Bug and Stopped It From Spreading Through the House (Using Seventh Generation Spray + A Whole Lot of Mom Strategy)

Friday morning started with the kind of wake-up call every parent dreads. My sister was standing in my doorway—half-panicked, half-exhausted—telling me she might need to take her youngest to the hospital because she was vomiting and having diarrhea nonstop.

In her words? “It was like watching Old Faithful explode… but with vomit.”

And honestly, that description was spot on.

I shot up, hoodie and all (yes, I sleep in a hoodie—judge me later) and followed her downstairs while trying to shield my face from airborne stomach bug particles with my sleeve. When I got there, her youngest had finally paused the geyser-like eruption, which gave me a moment to assess the situation.

The First Questions We Asked

Before doing anything else, I needed answers:

• When did it start?

• Is she running a fever?

• Do we have Pedialyte ready?

• Where are the gloves and the Seventh Generation Sanitizing Spray?

  
  

That last question is one of the most important.

We learned during a previous stomach bug outbreak that not all disinfecting sprays kill norovirus, which is the virus responsible for most vomiting illnesses in kids. Seventh Generation was one of the few we found on store shelves that specifically listed norovirus on the label. Plus, it’s plant-based, doesn’t choke you with chemicals, and you simply spray the surface, let it sit for 10 minutes, and boom—sanitized.

Link: https://a.co/d/6RVCPSa

Coming Up With a Plan (Because Panic Doesn’t Kill Germs)

After hearing my sister walk through the symptoms, and after confirming that this was likely a stomach virus and not something requiring immediate emergency care, I told her:

“I know this is the least fun thing to deal with… but we’ve GOT this.”

Full disclosure: norovirus is one of my top germ fears. It spreads like wildfire. One sick kid becomes a sick household in record time. But instead of letting panic take over, we decided to jump into action and stay ahead of it.

Our “Stop the Stomach Bug From Spreading” Game Plan

1. Quarantine—but make it cozy

Everyone went to their rooms with:

• Snacks

• Water bottles

• Towels

• A lined bucket (nothing fancy—just a Halloween candy bucket with a trash bag inside)

If someone else got sick, they’d have a ready-to-go setup.

2. Contain and bag anything contaminated

Any soiled sheets, pajamas, blankets, or stuffed animals went straight into a trash bag to be washed on hot. No leaving things out. No “I’ll get to it later.” Stomach bugs spread through contact, droplets, surfaces—pretty much anything.

3. Disinfect. Absolutely. Everything.

This was our marathon moment.

My sister handled downstairs while I took upstairs, and we went into full cleaning mode with Seventh Generation Disinfectant Spray.

We sprayed:

• Light switches

• Cabinet handles

• Fridge doors

• Stove and oven handles

• Chairs

• The kitchen island and table

• Couches

• Kids’ toys

• Bathrooms (top to bottom)

• And yes… even the air around the scene of the incident, because stomach bug particles travel and we were NOT taking chances

If it had a surface, it got sprayed.

4. The Recovery Phase

Once everything was clean(er), we finally settled in for the long haul.

For the Sick Kiddo:

• Pedialyte: 5 ml every 5 minutes for the first hour

• Slowly increased amounts once she could tolerate it

• Crackers when ready

• A comfy spot, cartoons, and a bucket bedside

For Everyone Else:

• Room quarantine

• TV, iPads, gaming, snacks

• Open communication if anyone felt “even a little weird”

For Us Moms:

• Anxiety

• Hypervigilance

• And constant disinfecting

You know, the usual.

The Best Part? IT WORKED.

Knock on every piece of wood in this house—but we’ve stayed vomit-free ever since. No one else got sick. The stomach bug did NOT sweep through our home, and honestly, that feels like a miracle.

If you’re dealing with a stomach bug or trying to prevent one, this exact strategy saved us.

Thankfully we didn't need medical attention, but I couldn't end this post without some info on when you may need to go!

What to Watch for: When your Ol' Faithful May Need to See a Doctor

Most stomach bugs resolve on their own, but some symptoms require urgent care.Call your pediatrician or seek medical attention if your child has:

Signs of dehydration:

• No tears when crying

• Dry mouth or cracked lips

• Very little urine (or dark urine)

• Sunken eyes

• Lethargy or unusual sleepiness

Vomiting that doesn’t stop:

• Vomiting every 30–60 minutes for several hours

• Unable to keep even small sips of fluids down

• Vomit that looks green (could be bile) or has blood

Severe abdominal pain:

Especially if it worsens or is only on one side.

Behavioral changes:

• Confusion

• Extreme irritability

• Lack of responsiveness

Concerns in babies under 12 months:

Infants can become dehydrated quickly—don’t hesitate to call your pediatrician.

If someone in your house is throwing up, just know—you’re not alone, you’re not gross, and you’re not failing. Stomach bugs are brutal, but with quick action, the right disinfectant, and a calm (or mostly calm) plan, you can absolutely keep it from spreading.

And trust me—if we could stop this “Old Faithful” situation in its tracks… anyone can!

Love,