hand foot and mouth in 3 of us?

[eeky]

I think we hfm. Ds 7m old and I both had a fever and felt generally rubbish 3 days ago. I thought I had a UTI initially as mild symptoms. Ds not keen on feeding, so went to the GP 2 days ago - although my urine dip was ok, she gave me antibiotics. Ds had a red throat and lymph nodes up, so antibiotics for him too.

That day I started to develop the sore throat from hell and yesterday woke up with mouth throat and tongue full of painful ulcers. It's so disgusting I have to keep having a look in the mirror as can't quite believe throats can look like that! I've had my tonsils out. Over the day have developed uncomfortable small blisters all over hands, nothing on feet and a couple on face.

Poor ds has woken with blisters (more like small spots on him) on lower legs, few on feet, Huge symmetrical crop on buttocks (v.similar to bad nappy rash) and on his hands/wrists. Nothing on trunk and back. I can't see in his mouth to look for ulcers but his tongue looks ok. Obviously painful for him to swallow though.

Don't think it's chickenpox as I'm immune and not itchy.

DD (2 next week) attends nursery 2 days a week. I'm starting to wonder whether she had it first - she had a mild sore throat and was off colour around 5 days ago, but nothing too different from the usual things they pick up. Just wondering as noticed a couple of very small blisters on each thumb, but thought it was where she sucks at night. Also 2 very small spots on bottom, again thought it must be a slight nappy rash, but not usual for her.

Anyway, questions:

If she is fine can she go to nursery tomorrow?

Am I still infectious - if so should dh drop her off instead of me? And are we ok to visit my elderly parents in 2 days time for dd's birthday?

Any ideas to sooth poor ds - he is taking semi-frozen fromage frais (and so am I!) and will have some milk and water. Regular calpol and nurofen. Will try to get some Difflam spray for me, can I use it on him?

Any ideas for mouthwash for me? Can't eat solids at all, I cried yesterday trying to eat a soft-boiled egg ! I tried vodka from the freezer last night which seemed to be most successful for a couple of hours at least.

Thanks for any advice. If I read one more website which saysthat adults rarely get it and it's mild, I shall scream...

My sympathies, my dd, 11 months had this last month. Luckily none of us got it but it's really nasty and took about a week-10 days for the blisters to dry up. You are contagious I believe until they are dried up so I would say your dd is ok but u n ds are not. Have you tried eating soup? Luckily my dd had none in her mouth but still did not want to eat, just drink milk. She had them all over her legs, feet and hands. Just keep up with fluids and calpol n nurofen. Hope u all better soon

thanks cb. have had mashed potato and 2 magnums for dinner and feel a bit better. ds is grotty but still managed to get some smiles out of him, and he is sleeping lots, so at least settled then.

poor you - when ds2 had it i put teething gel on his dummy just before a feed which numbed the ulcers long enough for him to feed - might be worth a try for you? or bonjela?