Coxsackie virus says doctor but no blisters in mouth

[mummyA]

Hi, hope anyone has some answers for me. DS (turning 4 on monday) had about 10 spots on his knees 10 days ago. I noticed while getting him out of the bath. To me they looked like the beginning of chickenpox but he had a good dose of that last year. So sort of assumed it might be flee bites or something like that and left it.

Now two nights ago I get him out of the both and notice both his knees covered in lots of bumps, quite hard to the touch, and slight red ring around them.

Next morning took him to GP thinking he would say Molluscum but he said no it looks more like a coxsackie virus. Keep him home for a few days. No treatment. Boils are now on both knees and on inside wrists. No temperature. And generally feels well.

A few questions after googling Coxsackie

• He does not have any in his mouth or feet so assume this is not HFM version
• We had his b'day party last weekend (when I thought he had the flee bites) should I warn all the attending kids?
• How long can this last?
• Should I be worried about meningitis and/or diabetes?

Thanks so much, am getting myself slightly worked up after reading online.

Is coxsackie just a version of hand, foot and mouth?

I know when DD had this (younger) she didn't get spots in her mouth. I don't think they have to get them everywhere?

Dd2 had the coxsackie virus but no blisters/sores in or around her mouth. It is HFM it's just he doesn't have it that badly, count yourself lucky!

In answer to your questions - yes, I would tell the parents of the children who attended the party.

It took about a week for DD's blisters to clear up, although they didn't seem to bother her.

I don't think you need to worry about meningitis or diabetes, unless there are other symptoms you've noticed? In that case I would seek RL medical advice, not Dr Google.

Hope that helps. And to your DS, I hope he feels better soon.

I could be another bout of chickenpox as they can get it up to five times due to serovars. The second occasion DD had no spots, but still confirmed case of chickenpox.

Thank you for your answers. I think it is the other way round, HFM is a version of Coxsackie. But it does put my mind at ease that you say your dc's didn't have blisters in mouth either.

And indeed in that case... lucky me that he doesn't have them in his mouth.

Only other symptom would be that he is quite tired, but wouldn't call it lethargic. So feeling bit more confident that we just have a mild version of HFM.

Lonecatwithkitten, I don't think it is chicken pox, it looks much different now. The first few spots started out just like the first ones of chickenpox, but developed into bigger boils. I wouldn't really describe it as blisters either as they feel quite hard, which makes me doubt the HFM thing again.

Neither of mine had blisters in the mouth. It's called HFM because that's where most dc get the spots and where they are most concentrated. But you can get them in all sorts of places and not in others. DD had them on her hands and feet only, nothing in her mouth bar a mild sore throat. DS had them all over his arms and legs but mainly on his knees, wrists and elbows and also all over his bottom and genitals. Definitely HFM. The thing which marked it out as definitely HFM for both of them was the shape of the blisters (not really blisters here either, hard white spots with a reddish ring round them). They aren't round, they're more rugby ball shaped.

Showy, yep that describes them perfectly. Hope they will disappear before weekend. Turns 4 on monday and have little celebration planned on saturday.

Saw GP again yesterday and his colleague who specialises in skin this morning. Now they say erythema multiforme.
I am still not convinced, as it is a non itchy rash and is only on his joints. At least this means he is not contagious so have brought him back to school today which he was super thrilled about.

GP just called to say, he is now sure it is Gianotti-Crosti Syndrome, sounds more like pizza! apparently it is harmless.