To be worried about hand foot & mouth?

[FantaIsFine]

I'm not worried for me as I believe adults get it only rarely and I have no children in my household at all, but I am due to be with a little patient tomorrow diagnosed this morning and have a couple of engagements in the next couple of days with other children present (and in one case a mum to be). I ABSOLUTELY intend to let them know I've had this contact and understand/intend to rearrange - it would be AWFUL not to do so. The poorly baby wouldn't be present though. So that I am aware, however:

Bearing in mind that I'm going to see the current sufferer tomorrow and usually end up wearing his chewed biscuits one way or another, mainly down my top, can anyone answer:
How infectious is it once it presents?
How long would I (say) be able to communicate it to other children for if at all and should I be aware when seeing adults with children even?
At what age does contact become irrelevant? (Say my PG friend's two children are both over 5 - she of course is PG so that adds an extra layer in, but hope YSWIM)
Is the pregnancy element relevant or if it is gastrointestinal does it mean it shouldn't matter?

I think the method of transmission is saliva or poo. I'm unlikely to share either of my own with any other children, does this help in the equation? Plus I am a pretty frequent hand-washer anyway.

What I don't want is to be irresponsible so I'm asking here as there are so many wise words to be had...although I certainly intend to let my friends know regardless. The NHS online advice isn't awfully helpful.

Thanks in advance...sorry if AIBU is wrong forum, but great traffic

It is also interesting that the people who don't have it mildly also report having it more than once ime. The vast majority of people have it in childhood and it IS mild. If for some reason you get it in adulthood, it is severe and you have it more than once, I agree with Idefix, you should probably think about being checked out because while it might be one of those things, it's outside of the expected experience of HFM and could indicate an underlying condition.

I'm afraid I can't answer any of your questions but just wanted to say you're being very considerate. Clearly this is entirely non-scientific and based on a limited sample size - most children I know have had HFM very mildly (including DS2) but it can be nasty - it hospitalised DS1 as a baby and he was very, very ill indeed.

If you can't reschedule seeing the sick baby I think the only thing you can do, as you've said, is give the other parents the choice about what to do.

Thanks everyone for their advice! It's all worked out marvellously, the couple of other mums have declined seeing me for a few days - which I absolutely understand as do they, my PG friend and I managed a quick coffee BEFORE I went over to see the family and I had him all of today which helped the parents do separate birthday things with the older siblings (as their party sadly but clearly had to be cancelled because of the illness). Mind you, I was ALL about the handwashing and declined the gobby offerings from his plate on this occasion. I even managed not to wear any of it for a change.

I had never ever HEARD of this illness before, it sounds HORRID in some cases and for grown-ups!

Hand foot and mouth 😭
Time line

Saturday
AM My little girl complaining about her sore mouth and a sore on her finger small little spots around her mouth.
PM Raging temperature
Sunday
Feeling a little poorly not eating or drinking complaining of a tummy ache and headache.
Monday
PM Still feeling under the weather can't put my finger on it.
Placed my little girl in the bath and was complaining about her sore bottom and all of a sudden it clicked asked to look at her hands,small little red almost indentation marks And feet too.
HAND FOOT AND MOUTH PARTY BEGINS
On that night ever 20 minutes she was waking up in agony from her feet as rash had really come on.
In total about 2 1/2 hours sleep.
The following morning Gp confirmed hand foot and mouth.
My little girl could not walk due to the painful blisters on her feet and needed to be carried around.
BE WARNED This is a awful virus
and most cases I've seen are mild however my daughter did have it bad all up her arms.
Survival kit for Hand foot and mouth
Paracetamol and nurofen
Piriton
Calamine lotion for 3pm foot spa
iPhone for peppa pig episodes