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Children's health

Experiences of Hand Foot and Mouth disease?

38 replies

cakesonatrain · 22/09/2013 13:25

I have Google-diagnosed DS (2.1) with Hand Foot and Mouth.
Spots with blisters mostly hands, feet and bum, but also smaller ones (just red, not blistered) on arms and legs and a couple in mouth. I've not seen any mention of the spots spreading to arms and legs though, which is making me doubt it.
He's tireder than usual, and had a bit of a cough last week. No temperature, and very giggly boy just as normal.

Surprisingly to me, DD (6mo) shows no signs yet. HF&M is supposed to be very contagious, and he's often all over her, as toddlers are. His first spots appeared on Thursday, but we thought it was just irritation from going swimming every day. Definite blisters on his hands and feet, just red spots elsewhere, and he doesn't like me wiping his bottom. One manky nappy today, but been ok until that.

Does this sound like HF&M?

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Hi there - this thread is a little old. [[https://www.mumsnet.com/babies/hand-foot-and-mouth-disease-in-babies
If you want to find out about hand, foot and mouth disease in babies, we’ve got lots of information here]]. MNHQ

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ilovepowerhoop · 22/09/2013 13:28
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cakesonatrain · 22/09/2013 13:39

Thanks for that, but that page came up in my Google searches.

Any actual advice?

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GoingToBedfordshire · 22/09/2013 13:52

Sounds similar to when dd3 had HF&M last year at the same age. She was v miserable though, off her food and had a high temp for a few days. I took her to the doc who confirmed it, but as it`s viral, she just advised to manage the symptoms with Calpol and Nurofen. Her two siblings didn't catch it though and once the temp had gone and she was eating and cheerful again, I stopped keeping her at home and carried on as normal going to toddler groups. Think we stayed in for 4/5 days but the spots were visible for a good week after.

Hope your DS is better soon.

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cakesonatrain · 22/09/2013 14:14

Thank you, Going.

Interested to hear that your other dc didn't catch it. I hope DD doesn't, she's too little and perfect to get horrid big spots :(

DS is currently helping himself to my bowl of cereal (with a glance to me for approval before each gobful :) ) having woken up a bit whingy from his nap. He seemed like his mouth was sore, but can't have been that bad!

He's supposed to be at nursery tomorrow, after being off for 2 weeks (holiday) but I don't want to take him if he will infect the other children. He only goes one day a week though. And we have toddler group on Tues!

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GoingToBedfordshire · 22/09/2013 18:28

No, I think prob best to keep him off as it can been quite miserable - sounds like his bout is quite mild though, so that's good. If in any doubt though, get him to the doc. It may not even be HF&M so it would be a shame to quarantine him for nothing! Do hope your DD avoids it too, get well soon to your DS.

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ChunkyPickle · 22/09/2013 18:34

No actual advice, but I also google-diagnosed DS with it 18 months ago, he was also completely fine, except for little blisters in appropriate places (and inappropriate ones for chicken pox), l seem to remember it lasted about a week.

MIL spoke to people at the music club she took him to once a week and was told by the others there that it often did the rounds. None of the adults in the house caught it, and there were no other children though, so I can't comment on how infectious it was

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littlemissnormal · 22/09/2013 18:34

My DS2 had it quite badly on his bum and just a couple on his hands and feet.
He caught it from Dsis who was really quite poorly with it and suffered awfully in her mouth. She's 31 and thinks she caught it from someone at work.
DS1 and DD didn't catch it but my friends kids did!
Calpol helped with the temp and lots of metatasin (sp) on his bottom to help protect and cure the bottom blisters.

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cakesonatrain · 22/09/2013 19:30

I will phone nursery first thing and let them know. I presume they won't want him! He won't have caught it there or toddler group, as not been for too long. Will have been the pool/soft play at Center Parcs.
He is mostly his usual self and still normal temperature, just a bit tireder and wakes up a bit whingy, and is a bit more cuddly (which is nice!). He was hardly bothered by chicken pox last year, so am hoping this means he's a hardy little chap where viruses are concerned!

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ShowOfHands · 22/09/2013 19:35

Both of mine have had it. First time round, DD didn't catch it from DS, even though they're never apart. DD only had them on her hands and feet and in her mouth. DH had them on his bottom and legs/arms too. They blistered on his hands and feet, but not on his limbs and bottom. GP said it's only called HFM because that's where you get the most/usual spots but you can have the spots anywhere.

I found a telltale sign was that the blisters aren't round, they're rugby ball shaped.

Neither of mine were particularly unwell with it. Temp and a cough beforehand but only mildly, well when the actual spots arrived.

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ShowOfHands · 22/09/2013 19:38

DH DS

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cakesonatrain · 22/09/2013 19:42

Yep, that sounds like DS, ShowOfHands.

Supposed to be going to a family party next Sunday, probably can't now - gutted :(
NHS website says infectious for about a week after first symptoms, which would be Thursday, but not sure we should risk it, as there will definitely be a toddler and a baby there, and possibly others.

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PiratesMam · 22/09/2013 19:46

Both of mine have had it too and if you look at the pic on the NHS website it's pretty easy to diagnose. It's self-limiting so can't be treated with anti-biotics, you just have to wait it out, usually a week. My son and I both had it when I was pregnant which is quite risky - avoid any preggos. My DD (2) has just recovered from it and was very poorly with it - her mouth bled from the ulcers and didn't eat much for a week - cold mushy weetabix helped to soothe it. DS didn't catch it from her - maybe he has some immunity from having had it himself before.

Having had it myself I can tell you that the mouth ulcers are by far the worst aspect; very painful. The spots on hands and feet aren't itchy and only painful if they rub on something.

Hope he recovers soon Smile

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PiratesMam · 22/09/2013 19:48

Sorry meant to add the pregnancy risk is that it carries a risk of miscarriage in the first trimester. Typically I am pregnant again now but didn't catch it from DD fortunately. Was very careful washing everyone's hands.

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cakesonatrain · 22/09/2013 19:51

Oh yeah, will definitely have to avoid pregnant ladies. I don't know any apart from mums at toddler group, and I don't think anyone would thank me for taking him there!

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cakesonatrain · 22/09/2013 19:52

Although with first-trimester pregnant ladies, you never know who is, do you?

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CitrusyOne · 22/09/2013 19:55

Dd had it when she was about four months old. She had quite a nasty rash in nappy area, and some sores on her fingers and mouth but couldn't get into mouth to see- she had a high temperature for a few days and was sleepy, cuddly and lethargic for a day or two but she soon bounced back.

No-one else in the household caught it, but SIL caught it off her DS and she really suffered.

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CitrusyOne · 22/09/2013 19:56

Oh, and hope he's soon better x

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Mumof3xx · 22/09/2013 19:58

My ds had this At about 18months

He had the blisters on hands feet and around his mouth

He was lucky that he had none inside his mouth as I know a child who did and could barely eat

Some gps will give antibiotics, mine did and my friends didn't

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Mumof3xx · 22/09/2013 19:59

Oh and his older brother who was 2 at the time didn't catch it despite how often he stole his dummy!

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neontetra · 22/09/2013 19:59

I had it as a toddler but just got the blisters and was not otherwise unwell at all, so my mom tells me. She says this is one of those things that doesn't always make sufferers poorly. Fingers crossed your ds is one of the lucky ones.

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crazykat · 22/09/2013 20:05

Sounds like my DD2 when she had it. She was a grouchy and had a very slight temp but didn't seem poorly just a bit off it. She had a few blisters on her hands but mostly on her feet, none in her mouth that we saw.

The doctor diagnosed hand foot and mouth as she developed blisters overnight and I hadn't even heard if hand foot and mouth.

I was surprised that my other three DC didn't get it as she was always all over them like most toddlers would be.

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crazykat · 22/09/2013 20:08

My GP didn't give her anything just said calpol/brufen if needed. He also said no need to keep her in or keep older ones off school should they develop it.

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turningitaround · 22/09/2013 20:19

No advice, but we're in exact same position. Google-diagnosed DD2 (3.4) today, but still haven't 100% ruled out chickenpox so off to doctor tomorrow. She has spots round her mouth, first ones appeared on Thurs; spots on bum and at top of legs, as well as on one arm, blistering and the odd stray one elsewhere. A couple of spots on hands and feet, but not blisters. She was 'off colour' Thurs, Fri and Sat and not eating much.

No sign of anything on DS (9 months) yet.

Will let you know what doc. says tomorrow if you like.

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cakesonatrain · 22/09/2013 20:30

Oh thanks turningitaround that would be good.
I hope your DD isn't too poorly, and your DS escapes it!

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fishandlilacs · 22/09/2013 20:40

My ds had it at 16m. I was pretty bad and yes it did spread to his legs and arms. He never had any mouth blisters that i noticed though. The skin peels after the blisters fade and He lost some toenails from it a few weeks later-this is common. he was mostly ok after the 3rd day, he didn't eat anything but yogurts and custard for a few days.

My dd 6, never caught it.

My DH however caught it and was REALLY poorly, it went systemic and into his prostrate gland and he was in agony. He was off work for over 2 weeks. He got it from either not washing his hands after nappy change (he denies) or DS dribbling in his face and mouth (he claims, i'm not sure) so be careful. Up the hygiene its unsual in adults but no unheard of

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