hand, foot and mouth disease - and the creche

[iamroddo]

Our 14MO son has just had a case of hand, foot and mouth disease. We suspect that he caught it at the creche as there had been other cases in recent days. He spent all of last week at home, much of it dosed on children's paracetamol. He had little blisters in his mouth and sores on his hands and bum. He wasn't eating at all well and had diarrhea. He was clearly affected by it and not his usual energetic self.

In the last couple of days he recovered his appetite, digestive prowess and energy. Though some signs of the blisters/sores can be seen, they are clearly healing. Should we keep him at home still or can he go back to the creche. I figured that as bad as this illness affects some, he's not the first at the creche who's had it so keeping him until there's no sign anymore and being 100% sure of him being past the disease seems excessive.

Can we send him back to the creche or is this irresoponsible?

you are supposed to keep him off until he is no longer contagious. Pain in the arse but that's generally the rule. I don't know when they stop being contagious with hand foot and mouth, hopefully someone more knowledgeable will come along.

Once the sores have dried up you are no longer contagious. My son has had it three times ( believe it or not ) and his nursery allow kids back once spots have scabbed over. With hfm they are contagious two weeks or so before you realise anything is wrong with them or when the spots appear anyway.