Hand foot and mouth disease at school

[sausagesarenotafruit]

Hi if anyone has any experience of this can they please advise me? I have just received a text saying there is an outbreak of Hand Foot and Mouth disease at the nursery/after school club at my child's primary school. I have looked it up on NHS website and although not life threatening or anything it is pretty unpleasant and quite serious in adults. I am considering keeping my child off schoolfor a few days, (especially unfortunate timing so close to xmas). Is this an over-reaction? The disease sounds vile and is airborne as well as spread by contact with infected surfaces.

My ds nursery have it frequently and I've never stopped my ds from going in and he's never caught it either. I've also never stopped him going in when they've had confirmed cases of chicken pox. Clearly the ill children aren't there, and most places are good at giving a thorough clean when there's an outbreak of something contagious

Yes it's an over reaction IMO. I had it a couple of months ago, neither dh nor the kids caught if.

It's not so bad that you need to put an avoidance plan into action.

Ok thanks - I think if it wasn't nearly xmas i probably wouldn't be so bothered. Also I hadn't ever heard of it. There is some scary stuff on the internet too!

I wouldn't keep a child off as avoidance, unless your child has another immunity reason to do so, or you or a close relative you will be seeing is pregnant. For most children its a relatively mild uncomfortable illness, and no worse than a heavy cold with a sore throat. My daughter had it and was quite poorly for a few days, but that was it. Very sore throat and blistery nappy rash. I think a lot of kids get it and it goes unnoticed.

I wouldn't keep off for that. Minor illNess in kids and in all likelihood your DC will already have been exposed.