I think I have hand, foot and mouth disease. What can I do? Can I still bfeed?

[Rolf]

This is either day 2 or 3. The end of my tongue feels as though it's been scalded and today developed little red dots. There are some bigger red spots further back on my tongue. The back of the roof of my mouth feels sore and it hurts to swallow. I don't have anything on my hands or feet but I'm waiting excitedly to see what tomorrow brings . Does that sound like hand, foot and mouth? I'm assuming it is and that there's no point going to the GP?

I don't feel particularly ill, but it's pretty uncomfortable and unpleasant. I have just turned down some chocolate (v rare!).

I thought this was something children get? My children are aged 9,8,3 and 1 and none of them are showing any symptoms. I'm still breastfeeding DD2 - is there any reason why I shouldn't?

Any advice?

thanks.

[PacificDogwood]

Hi, Rolf, sorry to hear you are not feeling well.
Whatever this lurgie will turn out to be - carry on breastfeeding (now there is a film title ) as it will not do your baby harm and in fact pass on antibodies you are producing against whatever it is you have.
Hand, foot and mouth more usually causes small sore blisters/ulcers in the mouth and blisters on the palms of hands and soles of feet.
I was wondering whether you have ever had cold sores at your mouth before? If not, you could be having a primary infection with herpes simplex which is really rather unpleasant. I caught it from my 1 year old cousin when she was developing chicken pox (same virus). I was about 8 and I can still remember how sore it was and having to drink water through a straw because my mouth hurt.
Anyway, nowadays there are meds for that kind of thing.
So it you are not well, go and see GP. Hand food and mouth you will obviously just have to ride out.
But BFing, no problemo!! HTH.

[Rolf]

Thanks PacificDogwood
I've never had a cold sore. I hope it's not herpes simplex, that sounds horrible.

[PacificDogwood]

If the inside of your mouth becomes v sore with the lining kind of peeling off (sorry to be graphic) go see your Gp urgently and get ACICLOVIR which is an antiviral and will make it go away much quicker.
And make sure you have drinking straws in the house ...
Good luck. Hope you feel better soon.

[Rolf]

thanks

[Rolf]

bump

[Rolf]

I thought it was getting better this morning but this evening it's v sore again. I have blisters on the side of my tongue . Is it h,f & m or should I go to the GP? Is there anything I can do to make it more comfortable?

thanks

[Rolf]

.

[PacificDogwood]

Oh dear, you poor thing!
Salt water gargles?
Get thee to thy physician, me thinks! You need RL advice.

[Rolf]

You're so nice . I was sulking at my friendlessness

[PacificDogwood]

One aims to please.