Chicken Pox and Hand Foot and Mouth Disease, oh my!

irer · June 2012

In the last 2 weeks, ds has had close friends come down with both Chicken Pox and Hand Foot and Mouth that he was been in contact with on playdates. I know it comes with the territory having a toddler, but c'mon!? Luckily he hasn't shown any symptoms so I am hoping we are in the clear. Also, I know I am immune to Chicken Pox, so that is a relief, and I think most adults are immune to Hand, Foot and Mouth...anyone else been exposed to these nasty germs?

babyike · June 2012

::raises hand::

DD was exposed to both last month at pre-school. She didn't get Chicken Pox (got the vaccine at 18 months), and I'm immune so no worries. I was super worried about DS, since he didn't even get his vaccine until last week. But he didn't get it either thank goodness! As for HFM... DD and DS both got a very mild case of it, but no big deal.

It definitely comes with the toddler/pre-school territory, but ick!

CLeigh03 · June 2012

Ick - sorry! I had no idea chicken pox was still around?! Haven't heard about it in forever...

mego36 · June 2012

I was exposed to hand, foot, and mouth by one of my students. As a precaution my ob had me get bloodwork done for both types (A and . Apparently A is more common and less serious but B can pass through the placenta.

Of course my bloodwork came back that I was positive for type B. I have to have repeat bloodwork done next week (my first was done May 25th) to see if they levels are increasing or decreasing.

My ob consulted with a high risk dr and neither of them are concerned that there will be any complications w/ the pregnancy or for the baby.

I feel horrible, but I can barely look at this 5th grader who, unknowingly, is adding this to my pregnancy.

latnprincess · June 2012

There are 3 strains of HFM disease and they're all super contagious and adults CAN get them. DS had one at about 2 years old I think... It has an incubation period of about a week.

And yes chicken pox is definitley still around! I think I'm also immune to it because I've been exposed and haven't gotten it.

I hope he has none of them!!

mamahawk12 · June 2012

Yes chicken pox is still prevalent and don't count on your immunity. I had the chicken pox TWICE as a child so assumed I was immune. Last month I was exposed to a child who had it - I mentioned it to my doctor just to be on the safe side and he ensured me that just because you have had it does not 100% guarantee you immunity - especially if it was 20 years ago. He did a simple blood test to check and I was in the clear (thank goodness) but I would definitely mention it if you've had an exposure.

nrb4576 · June 2012

HFM was going around DD's daycare about 2 months ago. She did come down with a VERY mild case and I never had any symptoms at all, so I wasn't concerned about it. Unfortunately, that virus can spread like wildfire....!

irer · June 2012

meaknigh:
Yes chicken pox is still prevalent and don't count on your immunity. I had the chicken pox TWICE as a child so assumed I was immune. Last month I was exposed to a child who had it - I mentioned it to my doctor just to be on the safe side and he ensured me that just because you have had it does not 100% guarantee you immunity - especially if it was 20 years ago. He did a simple blood test to check and I was in the clear (thank goodness) but I would definitely mention it if you've had an exposure.

Yeah, I have heard that, too, so I did mention it to my OB. Apparently, they tested my immunity at the beginning of my pregnancy as part of the first tri bloods and I am definitely immune so that is a good thing!

I hope everyone else out there stays free and clear, too--kids are so germ-y!

Reilly626 · June 2012

I was exposed to the hand and foot one and my OB told me to stay away from my niece and her parents for 3 weeks.

gracie__r · June 2012

YDD got hand/foot/mouth from daycare when she was very young (probably around nine months?). Luckily, no one else got it.

HeartsOnABand · June 2012

My friends 17 month old was diagnosed with HFM yeasterday, poor thing. So I will be staying away!

Regarding chicken pox...like PP's said, just because you have had them - do not think you are immune. If you have had the chicken pox in the past and are exposed to them again, it is very common and possible to get shingles. My dr told me that shingles is basically the mature version of chicken pox. Plus they are super painful!! Please be cautious no matter what.

irer · June 2012

HeartsOnABand:
My friends 17 month old was diagnosed with HFM yeasterday, poor thing. So I will be staying away!
Regarding chicken pox...like PP's said, just because you have had them - do not think you are immune. If you have had the chicken pox in the past and are exposed to them again, it is very common and possible to get shingles. My dr told me that shingles is basically the mature version of chicken pox. Plus they are super painful!! Please be cautious no matter what.

If you guys got bloodwork done in first tri, check to see if they tested for varicella (chicken pox) immunity...that is how I know I am immune. I think CP is a lot more dangerous than most HFM strains when you are pregnant.

mamahawk12 · June 2012

irer:
meaknigh:
Yes chicken pox is still prevalent and don't count on your immunity. I had the chicken pox TWICE as a child so assumed I was immune. Last month I was exposed to a child who had it - I mentioned it to my doctor just to be on the safe side and he ensured me that just because you have had it does not 100% guarantee you immunity - especially if it was 20 years ago. He did a simple blood test to check and I was in the clear (thank goodness) but I would definitely mention it if you've had an exposure.
Yeah, I have heard that, too, so I did mention it to my OB. Apparently, they tested my immunity at the beginning of my pregnancy as part of the first tri bloods and I am definitely immune so that is a good thing!
I hope everyone else out there stays free and clear, too--kids are so germ-y!

Good to know. I had a bunch of bloodwork done in my 1st tri, but I assume this wasn't included as he ran the test again when I told him. Good to have confirmation that you're immune!

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