How can you tell if it's hand foot and mouth?

[HettyMeg]

16MO has been sent home from nursery with hand foot and mouth, but only has a slight rash on her face that she often gets from teething etc. Spots on bum. No other symptoms or temperature. How can we be sure it definitely is this, and will she need antibiotics?

She had impetigo a few weeks ago and it cleared up quickly with antibiotics.

She won't need antibiotics, it varies in severity IIRC so you might just find a few spots on her or you may find that she gets mouth sores and will be off her food etc so just keep an eye and calpol if needed. Our school and playgroup don't send home kids with it unless they aren't feeling well. It's worth checking the nursery's policy for when you can send them back in.

My DS was really ill with it after the Xmas holidays so ended up with a week off but has had it in the past where it's just a few spots that haven't bothered him at all. The doctor confirmed it was that and just said rest and cold, soft food until he was feeling better. He'd just finished a dose of ABs for a chest infection and tonsillitis so I wondered if his immune system had taken a hit. He also got slapped cheek syndrome so was in a bit of a state!

I hope she gets over it soon

Antibiotics are no use against HFM, it's viral. It's indistinguishable from chicken pox, with fluid-filled blisters.