Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease?

[becka]

ACK! Here I was all excited about our trip and how things are going well and then DH gets to the daycare and finds a notice on the door that there is a suspected case of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease in DS's class!!!!!!

I know nothing about this but I just looked it up on WedMD and OMG that sounds horrible!!!! The notice was dated on Friday and the information says 3-6 days incubation period. I can't believe this!!!!

Please pray that we don't end up having to deal with this with DS!

 

[holycow]

Oh, that is horrible! I'm sending good thoughts that this will pass right by your DFamily!

 

[debster812]

Becka,

It's no fun, really it is isn't, but not every child gets it every time there is a breakout. Our DS has been in Day Care Centers since he was 16 months old, and I think he only caught it 3x with a lot more breakouts than that.

That being said, good thoughts, and anti viral wishes heading out to you guys.

Debbie

PS--The 2nd time DS got it, he lived on freeze pops for a day and a half because they felt good on his throat and mouth.

 

[GailT]

Wow, I guess that is part of being a parent. I hope he doesn't get it, My thoughts are with you and Nathan. keep us posted as to what is going on

 

[luvdamouse]

I'm also sending prayers and pixie dust your way, hoping that your family will totally miss this!!!!

However, the realist in me thought I should pass on a little info for you just in case, for planning purposes... My DS, now 4, was very susceptible to this disease. It's actually a virus, called Coxsackie Virus. If your child comes down with it, you'll know because they will run a slight fever and be achy, and often get blisters or cankers inside their mouths, on their palms, and the soles of their feet (therefore it's common name). It's painful for them to swallow, and they may want to rest more than normal.

I would suggest calling your doctor about what you can give your child to soothe his throat - my doc recommends (of all things) a mixture of small amounts of Benadryl and liquid Maalox, which numbs and coats the throat. DS was normally more likely to drink or eat soft foods after taking this strange mix. If you can get them to take it, of course fever/pain medicine helps too.

Hope you don't have to even think about this, and instead just have a WONDERFUL vacation! Wishing you the best!!!
Jo

The most important thing is to keep them comfortable and well-hydrated. The disease - thankfully - passes quickly (about 2 days), and my son is up and at it and recovers fully!

 

[WilmaBud]

Yikes! I'd be nervous, too! Even if he gets it, there are degrees of severity. My son only had somes sores on his rear end and his feet (a friend sent her son over for a play date with a full blown case of it ). He hardly suffered any ill effects with it at all. And my daughter has never gotten it.

Now, my sister's kids got it worse. And my poor sister got it twice, too! She was pretty miserable. I hope none of you gets it. Sending pixie dust your way!

 

[Michelle]

My DD had that when she was about two, and she wasn't in day care. It's a very common virus and it's really nothing to stress about, I'm sure it sounds horrible when you read about it. My DD had the kind that were in her mouth, plus a fever, so we just had to feed her lots of cool and mild foods and gave her Tylenol or Advil. As illnesses go, this one did not seem to bother her that much, oddly enough. It only lasted a few days.

I hope Nathan stays healthy!

 

[snoopy]

Both of my kids had it too, its common in daycare and school. I was horrified by the NAME of this disease, I mean, you'd think they would come up with something else to call it!

My kids recovered from it fairly quickly, but they were both miserable when they had it. The doctor said was similar to having a hot poker down their throats. Neither wanted to eat, obviously, or drink, but after a few days they were o.k.

I pray that your son doesn't get it, and that you go and have a great vacation!

 

[becka]

Originally posted by snoopy
Both of my kids had it too, its common in daycare and school. I was horrified by the NAME of this disease, I mean, you'd think they would come up with something else to call it!

I know what you mean. You would think they could even make something up that would sound better than this.

I am really praying that this skips over us. It sounds like it is pretty contagious for 7-10 days and if DS gets it and has to stay out of daycare for that long then our just booked vacation may be in jeopardy because I have to use vacation days to stay home with him. DH can't take all of that time off.