Hand foot and mouth and a potentially immunocompromised child...

[FourArms]

Bit of an AIBU I suppose. My friend's DS has Hand, Foot and Mouth (ulcers appeared in his mouth last Friday). My DS2 had ITP earlier in the year, triggered by chicken pox. He hasn't had an attack of it recently, but it is triggered by viruses, and he hasn't had a severe virus since his last attack. To my knowledge he hasn't yet had H,F&M, and it is possible to get it twice anyway.

We're going on a group outing on Sunday, and I know she wants me to give her a lift. AIBU to say no in view of his illness? I think he's back at pre-school (different one to my DS2), but lots of kids there have had it/have it now, whereas we don't know anyone else who has it.

I know he'll get it eventually, but my DH is away at the moment, but is back end of next week, and I could really do without dealing with something that could potentially make my DS2 very ill right now.

bump

Wd he still be infectious on Sunday? I'd have thought not. But if there is a risk of your DS catching it, I'd say no to the lift, and depending on the outing, might not go. Lots of bugs about at the mo, and if you can't cope with an ill child for whatever reason, stay away from large groups to minimise risk.

My DS gets very ill with certain bugs - so if we have an event or holiday coming up, I steer clear of groups of children, playdates and keep him off school for a few days beforehand.

If you have DC that don't get hit really hard by usually minor illness, that seems precious. But having a holiday ruined and having seen DS carted off in an ambulance because of a pretty routine infection, I am cautious at times when him being ill would be really inconvenient.

Apparently you are still infectious with it for 4 weeks afterwards. I don't think taking DS2 will put him at much risk, but sitting him in a car next to someone who is infectious is probably a bit much.

I thought the 4 weeks was in their faeces, rather than being breathed/sneezed out? I always alcohol gel my DS's hands after mixing with children to try to avoid the commonest bugs.