Hand, foot and mouth?

learnermum · #1 (**permalink**) 12-09-2008, 10:51 AM

Hi All,

Has anyone any experience of Hand foot and mouth disease?

DS was unknowingly exposed to it on Tuesday, and has wokken this morning with a temp of 38.7 and has been listless and very clingy!
I'm taking him to the docs soon, but just wanted to know if others had gone through this and how bad it gets?

thanks

**sweetchili** · #2 (**permalink**) 12-09-2008, 05:24 PM

Cj has just been through this. although the dr was a bit unsure wether it was h, f and m...as the spots were a bit different.

He started with a high temp at lunch last friday, then on sunday started to get spots. today we went back to the dr and the spots are nearly all healed and gone. (he was put on anti-biotics in case it was something else, and because he has a low imune system, but anti-biotics are not really needed for h, f and m).

here is what i learnt from the dr's and my old child care references;
They are only contageous when they have the spots...its the fluid from the spots that passes on the virus. and also in their bowel movements for a week or so after, which can be contained by thorough hand washing.

the temp will go down after 24 hours when the spots should start to appear, then they will be a bit clingy and tired.

its best to keep the spots aired.

cj seemed to cope with it quite well. My neice had it at the same time, but other than spots she didnt seem any different apparently.

alzarex · #3 (**permalink**) 12-09-2008, 08:58 PM

pretty much the entirety of the Perth kids got it last year (i think...) and they all seemed to cope fairly easily with it with some down time at home to rest and recuperate

**raifaerie** · #4 (**permalink**) 12-09-2008, 09:28 PM

layla was miserable. could barely eat or drink - i thought she was weaning herself cos she couldnt even breastfeed. she actually preferred cup to boob. i cant quite rememebr how many days it took to sort itself out, but she really was miserable, and had the classic spots on hands, feet and ouch all thru her mouth, poor little bugger!

**sweetchili** · #5 (**permalink**) 17-09-2008, 08:52 PM

how did you go?
i hope your little one didnt get the spots.

learnermum · #6 (**permalink**) 18-09-2008, 10:48 AM

We're slowly coming out the other side!
HAd 4 sleepless night and very miserable days. He still has some fresh blisters and a rash all over his legs.
Finding the isolation bit hard, didn't realise how much i need the social interaction. filling days now when he is feeling better but still infectious is hard work!! Especially as DH is working late, not getting much company other than a cranky bub! Not his fault though!

Thanks for the help!

**sweetchili** · #7 (**permalink**) 18-09-2008, 11:43 AM

well i am glad you are nearing the end.
I felt really isolated too. As soon as i found out Cj might have it we spend the next week or more indoors, and i missed out on a few family things..including fathers day with my family.

it funny how much you can miss just getting out of the house for a bit! we ended up spending a lot of the time out in the back yard.