Let's discuss Hand Foot Mouth...
slwprincess
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We have a Dr's appointment at 2 today but I'm pretty sure this is what Sophie has. When Gavin had it, he only had the mouth sores inside his mouth. He had a fever and drooled and basically screamed for a week. So that's what I was expecting but Sophie has a different set of symptoms. No fever, sores OUTSIDE her mouth and in the diaper area. Some red spots on one hand- but no sores. Her sleep has been a little restless but nothing like what I remember with Gavin. She is also teething something fierce at the moment- at least 3 teeth at once. So my initial thought was that this was a teething/drool rash- especially since there was no fever. That's why I sent her on to school. But after just 2 hours they called and said that I had to pick her up. So what do you guys think- could this really be HFM even w/o a fever? Is she going to start screaming soon or maybe we might dodge that bullet this time? What were the symptoms for your LO? I guess I'm just hoping that it won't be so severe this time. I cringe at the thought of what we went through with Gavin.
Re: Let's discuss Hand Foot Mouth...
For us, it wasn't that bad. Our symptoms were low grade fever, poor sleeping, and no appetite. She didn't seem too concerned about it at all once I figured out to give her milk and fruit/veggie pouches because that's all she wanted to eat.
I hope that's not what it is, but if so, it isn't always unbearable. No idea if kids get immune to it after having it once but if you find out, report back because I'd love to know.
Geneva had it twice. Never presented with a fever. First time, only had one mouth sore and some spots on her hiney. Second time, only had the spots on her butt. I, on the other hand, got the ulcers, spots on my hands AND spots on my feet.
Both times with Geneva, I didn't realize she had it until AFTER she was past contagion. If Sophie is presenting symptoms, she's already probably past contagion. They're usually most contagious a few days before it's evident. Same with flu and colds.
Oh wow. The other moms at our church are really going to HATE me. Sophie always starts showing symptoms after she's there... like within hours. This was the case w/ strep and now this. She was there on Friday and Sunday. Oops.
Ethan and Jack both had it and fortunately for us, it was never really bad on either of them. They both had fevers and poor appetites and sores on their feet, hands and mouth (just a few, though), but Jack had them on his bottom, too. Jack's cleared up quicker than Ethan's and he was back in school after 48 hours. When Jack came down with it, I called the pediatrician's office and asked if Ethan could get it again or was he immune since he had it when he was a baby. They told me that he definitely could get it again. Luckily, he did not.
We just had it 2 months ago or something like that. I took him to the pedi right as 1 sore appeared in his mouth, but at that point she didn't say it was HFM, just a virus, that was a Thursday afternoon. Then Friday he was sent home from daycare with a fever, by Sunday because he wouldn't eat, we noticed more sores in his mouth I had enough and just took him to urgent care for an answer, they diagnosed HFM. As others have said, once the fever is gone, and any blisters/sores on hands and feet are dried up, then she's no longer contagious. I thought I had read online that sometimes a fever may not be present with HFM. But I could be making that up. Luckily his sleep wasn't disrupted but boy he was a handful and a half when he was awake. Mama couldn't do anything to make him better. I am glad we crossed that bridge, however Fifth Disease was going around his class... I think that's the rash he's finally showing now. I swear my kid gets EVERYTHING!
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They are both late 2nd tri but even so, I think we're going to sit this one out just to be safe. As my mom put it, this is my pay back for all the times I got sick on a holiday and ruined her party plans
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