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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask for all doctors and nurses please!!

38 replies

Bloodydamnrash · 19/10/2019 17:46

We are on holiday, due to fly home tomorrow. DS started to get spots on feet and hands, one next to mouth. His baby friend has hand, foot and mouth so have assumed it’s that and kept him inside. No fever and a bit grumpy but playing normally otherwise. However the spots have begun to spread rapidly and now cover his legs, his feet look appalling and quite a few on arms, tummy, nappy area etc.

What the absolute hell is it? Can we fly back like this? He has had the chickenpox jab if that’s relevant.

OP posts:
SleepyKat · 19/10/2019 17:51

whatever it is you need to see a dr to try and get a fit to fly certificate or the airline won’t let you fly.

StarlitTrees · 19/10/2019 17:51

I had HFMD as an adult a couple of years ago and I must say the spots on his feet in particular look very similar to what I had. I didn't have a fever with it and once they started, within 24-48h they rapidly spread.

It's highly likely to be HFMD as he has been exposed to it, but I would strongly recommend you get a doctor to check him over purely because you are about to board a flight in order to protect those around you and it could possibly be something else.

WeakAsIAm · 19/10/2019 17:52

Yep looks like hfm, not sure you can fly with it Sad

SleepWarrior · 19/10/2019 17:53

Not seen hand foot and mouth spread that much but it may be possible I guess, hopefully someoneore helpful will comment too! Does he have them in his mouth and find eating etc painful?

I imagine the airline may complain if they see spots and will want a fit to fly cert, so I'd be seeing a doctor if I was you. Do you have travel insurance in case flying is a no go?

StarlitTrees · 19/10/2019 17:53

It is highly likely they won't let him fly as if it is HFMD it can be spread by many ways including coughing and sneezing and is very infectious.

SleepyKat · 19/10/2019 17:54

But hand, foot and mouth is infectious and you get little blister spots with it so if friend has it could well be that...but airline may well not let you fly even if only hand, foot and mouth. Hand, foot and mouth is normally greyish blisters. I’m not a nurse or dr though.

Evilspiritgin · 19/10/2019 17:58

I suggest you warn your insurance about this just in case

Original poster
Bloodydamnrash · 19/10/2019 18:16

Nothing in his mouth and eating and drinking normally

OP posts:
TiggeryBear · 19/10/2019 18:17

Not medical. But that looks like hand foot & mouth to me. My daughter came out in spots all over (aged 8months at the time) her hands, feet, forearms & face blistered & became large red blistered patches (similar in appearance to severe sunburn) she had a fever & was off her food for several days.

Henhophouse · 19/10/2019 18:20

My son had the worst case of HFM the doctor i saw had ever seen. It was everywhere and spread like wildfire. Mostly on his upper arms and elbows, weirdly. Looked like this when it started

Original poster
Bloodydamnrash · 19/10/2019 18:24

Thank you. This is all very helpful!

OP posts:
CottonSock · 19/10/2019 18:26

Not sure our nursery even excludes for hfam. By the time the spots show they are beyond contagious. I'd just enjoy your holiday.

CupCupGoose · 19/10/2019 18:30

My friends dc had hand foot and mouth really badly and it near enough spread over his whole body. I looked at the pictures you posted before I read your post and thought 'hand foot and mouth' straight away.

StarlitTrees · 19/10/2019 20:30

The previous poster is wrong.
HFMD is most infectious during the first week of the symptoms starting. It can also still be spread after the symptoms disappear.
Nurseries absolutely should keep children off with HFMD, I wouldn't be happy if my nursery allowed children with the rash to attend.

Imustbemad00 · 19/10/2019 20:37

There is no exclusion period in schools and nurseries for hand foot and mouth recommended by the public health agency. Airlines may have their own policy though but I guess it would be based on the recommendations of the PHA the same as schools

Sweetpotatoaddict · 19/10/2019 20:45

Looks like hand foot and mouth. No nursery exclusion as per public health England when my wee one had it. Worst bit was ages later when all their toe nails fell off Shock

As to flying..... it’s infectious, is it any more dangerous than a cold? Would you fly with a cold?

simplekindoflife · 19/10/2019 20:50

Seems extreme for HFMD... my dc have only had it on literally their hands, feet and mouths?!

I'd say chicken pox, if they hadn't have had the jab.

Can you see a doctor before the flight?

TinyBean · 19/10/2019 21:01

The jab isn't 100% effective, so it could be cpox if not hfm.

han01uk · 19/10/2019 21:03

It does look like chicken pox to me...

Geneva1995 · 19/10/2019 21:11

I work in a nursery and would definitely say HFM. I have seen many cases.

StarlitTrees · 19/10/2019 21:17

I understand that public health say there's no recommendation for exclusion with HFMD, but I wouldn't be happy about my child being exposed so closely with an infected child.
Having had it I can absolutely say descriptions don't do it justice. I know that it can be worse in adults, but for me, the rash was absolute agony. I couldn't walk, I had to bandage my toes and fingers as them even touching together was so painful. Luckily my mouth wasn't too badly effected, but if it was, and a child experienced it, I can see them not eating or drinking and getting dehydrated very quickly. Yes it's a disease that can't kill, but it could be extremely unpleasant and distressing.

Sorry to slightly go on a tangent OP. I really hope your little one is well and you can get home!

Indella · 19/10/2019 21:19

Looks like hand foot and mouth to me. It’s very infectious so unlikely you’ll be allowed to fly. You need to see a doctor and get their opinion.

BrassTactical · 19/10/2019 21:20

Where are you abroad? Can’t you see a Dr there tonight? If you are in a hotel they will normally get one for you depending on where you are.

Sammy867 · 19/10/2019 21:21

My dd had hand foot and mouth and it covered her arms and legs- looked like chicken pox but the gp confirmed hand foot and mouth later

mumwon · 19/10/2019 21:21

I cant see spots clear enough - so I am going to ask - has dc had the jab for rubella (german measles) strangely its a very mild disease for the child beyond nasty for pregnant woman's fetus