Hello

I haven't posted on here in a while but could really do with some support/reassurance/your own experiences of university with such a consuming phobia. I recently moved to university at the end of September, around 2 1/2 hours from my home town. I am really struggling with being away from home particularly because I really do not want to get s* ever at all, but even more so if I am on my own and my mum is not there. I am 19 years old but suffering from this as well as anxiety and depression has made me really dependent and I view my mum as a kind of safety net and someone who can protect me.

I freak about having to share a kitchen because some of the people I live with are not considerate of hygiene whatsoever and were using my cutlery, glasses, tea towels (one girl picked up raw chicken with my oven gloves, which I immediately threw away!!) and so I have now left a sign asking politely if they would not use my things. They do not know about my phobia because I find I get very ashamed talking to people about it because so many people don't "get it" at all.

My latest worry though is that a girl from the flat downstairs who is on my course was v* last night and this morning so did not come in to class today however a few of her flatmates also in my classes were obviously fine and I took the bus with them etc, sat near them in classes. I have been around the girl who is v* yesterday and probably the day before, and they reckon it is a virus thing rather than food poisoning because they have all eaten the same meals. I am sure I have read before about how viruses and other s* bugs can and can't be spread but now I can't logically think about it because I am panicking so much so please could someone confirm this for me? I am being really vigilant with hand washing etc but can it be spread air borne and would the girl have been contagious yesterday before she v*? And could the others that share her flat be contagious now?

I am now so worried about all of this that I am starting to worry that I am getting ill especially because (coincidence or not) I am feeling rubbish this afternoon - tired and lethargic and occasional nausea but more throat nausea I think.
I would really appreciate anyone who can give me some reassurance re the girl downstairs who is s* and what the likelihood is of me catching it? Also, anyone who went to university with this phobia, what were your problems, what precautionary measures did you carry out and how did you cope?

I am going home Saturday so there isn't long to wait but I am just so panicky and a panic attack on my own wouldn't be much fun

Thank you, Jasmine x