Hand, Foot and Mouth Diease!!

Hi A., I know how you feel both my boys and my niece all came down with it at some time or other in their earlier years. I don't think it's like chickenpox where you only get it once, but I beleive it's not likely to hit again, at least not as bad as the first time. We would give my boys salt water to gargle with and the helped sooth and dry up the bumps in their mouths and throwts (spelling?). If you've already had him see the pediatrician there's just waiting and it'll go away on it's own, don't freak out too much!! best of luck

F.

Hi A.,
Unfortunately, it is very painful, more so than strepp throat. Once on antibiotics, they should get better fairly quickly. They also tend to get very high fevers with it. You'll know they have it because they get white sores all over their mouth and throat.

It is also called the cocksocci virus (I'm not sure about the spelling), so you know it's a virus. It is fairly common in younger children, because everything goes into their mouths!

Good luck and keep them comfortable!!

P.

My 2 year old had hand foot and mouth 3 times in 2 months and ended up giving it to my 5 year old. It is very contagious but It usually doesnt come back just because he didnt have it very badly! Our doctor says that it is really just a part of childhood now because of so many kids being in daycare.

my son had a very very mild case and was put on an antibiotic but taken off after 2 days.
if i remember correctly it is not contagious after the rash appears and i don't beleive you can get it again and if you do it won't be as severe.

good luck!

Not to freak you out but my son got this when he was a baby and wouldn't eat because it hurt and ended up in the hospital for dehyration. If your son is 2 he should be fine it just has to pass on its own from what I have been told.

A.,

My son is 2 1/2 and has been in daycare for the past 1 1/2 years. He has had HFM disase atleast five times (could be more). He has had mild cases and very severe cases. If your son has a mild case just try to keep him comfortable (Motrin works better for us, cold drinks, possicles, lots of rest, etc. You don't want him to get dehydrated and there is nothing the Dr. can give you to make him better because it is viral. The severe cases my son had was when the sores were in his throat and he quit drinking and eating all together because it hurt so bad. I think this is one of the most horrible things because they are so miserable and you feel helpless becase there is really nothing you can do. I really don't think your son should get it again. Hope this helps!

C.

Hi, I had that disease from my daughter's EX-daycare this summer. Mine was really bad where I had flu symptoms, severe rash all over my hands and feet. My hands were in so mcuh pain that I couldn't pick up stuff and dress my daughter with anything with buttons, and my feet hurt so bad that I couldn't walk. It was just horrible. Thank god my daughter didn't get it, but my doctor said it's a very common disease among kids in daycare and preschool, but she said mine was one of the worst that she's seen before. But there was nothing that she could give me to make me feel better. She said I just have to wait for it to go away. And it did. It took a long time and took a long time to heal and I looked like a monster and felt like someone with horrbile disease, but just glad that it was me not my daughter who was only 4 months old at that time. By daughter is no longer at that daycare where I got sick from because she came home with whooping cough, 2 pink eyes, and 2 viruses in only 4 weeks.
My doctor said it's something that is very common among young toddlers and kids as I mentioned, but hopefully, your son won't get it again.
Good luck and I hope your son's hand, foot, and mouth disease goes away soon!

It's not really something to be too concerned about if your child isn't a tiny baby and is generally a healthy kid. It's a childhood virus which most get and are miserable for a few days. They live through it and move on to forget it just as quickly. Since it's a virus antibiotics don't really help. They just TLC and help to sooth the pains as best as you can. It's draining and hard to see your little one so uncomfortable, but it's not something you need to be concerned is a serious threat to your child.

My son also had that. His ped. assured me thay once they get it once they get an immunity to it, kind of like chicken pox. But they are several different strains to it, so he could get others. Thereis really nothing you can do but to keep him comfortable. And popsicles work wonders. Well take care and I hope all is well.
~H.

My daughter, who is 3, had this 2 months ago. She had it for a week and was in extreme pain.She had blisters on her gums, throat,and even on her teeth. She had a horrible case of it and her fever lasted for 6 days and got up to 104. She couldn't eat and it hurt her to talk. They gave us some magic mouthwash mixture but it didn't help. She had a horrible case of it and it caused her to not eat for a week. My youngest daughter, who is 1, ended up catching it as well. Her fever got up to 105 and her blisters were only on her bottom. She only had the fever for a day and didn't get it as bad. I don't think your son will get it again just because he didn't have it bad the first time. My youngest didn't and she was around her sister the whole time. I was scared when I heard of this disease as well but he will be fine. Just make sure he gets lots of fluids so he doesn't dehydrate! Hope he feels better soon :)

I havent had any experience with it but there is a child in my daughter's preschool class that has it. They just found out this past week and have sent home some information about it but im still worrried that she may end up getting it.