Hand Foot and Mouth? - Salt Lake City,UT

Not that long ago, both my kids had what I thought was a cold--scratchy voice, sore throat, green snotty nose. My son seemed to get it a little worse than my daughter, and had gunk coming out of his eyes, and a couple sores in his mouth. I took them both in, and the doctor just told me it was a virus--he didn't call it HFM, but I wonder if I just didn't recognize the virus's scientific name. Anyway, he said it would just clear up on it's own, and it did. My son had trouble eating too, so I gave him lots of smoothies. As far as you being pregnant, though, I would talk to your doctor. You might need to treat it differently.

Our two little ones have had Hand Mouth and Foot 2 times each. We have been told by our pediatrician that there are many strains and it is very common in the spring. Therefore, they can potentially get it every year--nasty! It is highly contagious. Every child reacts to it differently--some more severe than others. Popsicles/smoothies/ice cream helps their mouths and throats. If the child is not eating/drinking well, you might want to consider getting Pedialite popsicles, my kids love them because they are way bigger than regular "Otter Pops".

As for you, you really need to get in touch with your OBGYN. I believe that Hand Mouth and Foot is not good to get at cetain stages of pregnancy, but I'm not sure of this (I remember that Fifths Disease is really bad during pregnancy). Popsicles would help your mouth sores as well!

You pediatrician not being able to recognize HMF is questionable. I would evaluate whether you really trust him/her or if you need to be on the search for a new one.

Good luck--I know this is no fun!

We have been through this twice now. I have a five year old and a 31/2 year old. Neither of them got rashes. They got the high fever and little white bumps that look like canker sores ALL over the mouth. They would not eat for days. I kept them up on tylenol and swished there mouth with mylanta to coat the mouth so that they would eat. It worked great. They got this disease from playing at McDonalds playland. Adults can get this also. It is very contagious. Make sure you wash her hands really well after she plays at a playland or touches a shopping cart, etc.

I agree with the last mom, contact your OB immediately. I worked in a doctor's office just after a snow storm, lots of pregnant women, and the biggest concern was getting the HFM children away from pregnant mommies. Your doctor can give you more info.

8 months preggo and sick? YUCK. I feel for you, sister! I got some sores in my mouth like that a few years ago, and so did my husband. Our dentist thought it was some mouth disease. I can't remember the name. The point is, it never came back. I hope the same goes for you!
I just read the advice about strep...YES! Get it checked out. I had step as a kid and didn't know it. Because it went untreated, it went down into my heart causing a heart murmur. Don't want to scare you, but it can be serious if not treated. Checking is easy.

I just got that. It is a strain of the virus called coxacki herpangina. When I went in to get it checked out, the RN showed me a picture of it. You only get it in your mouth (the blisters/ulcers) and the high fevers, aches, pains, chills, and headaches. I don't want to scare you at all, but when I found out I had it, my pregnant friend and I had planned to go away for the weekend at a scrapbooking convention, and she happened to mention it to her mom, who then told her friend who is a nurse...and basically they said it is HIGHLY serious if a woman gets this when she is pregnant. I would definitely get checked out!

Yes, that's what it sounds like. My daughter had the same thing when she was 2. No one else in the family got it though. I don't recall a fever with it though, so possibly your daughter had 2 different bugs going on at the same time.
Strep is also going around and my daughter has had a fever and no other symptoms and then has given the Strp to the rest of the family. You might check into that since it is going around heavily in the area.

My daughter had this at 2 and it was horrible. I am very shocked the Dr didn't know what it was, maybe find another opinion as they should be able to find it if it is. My daughter got hardly any little blisters on her feet, never on her hands. The ones inside her mouth were very clear that they were blisters, which went down her throat and she was in a lot of pain due to the ones in her mouth. It is SUPER contagious!!!!! Until the bumps are gone you cannot share drinks, kisses, anything. I would talk to your OBGYN to make sure it is okay if you got exposed, however the upside is there is a very big chance you won't get it again, nor your daughter. There are several strains of it, but once you get a case the others are mild or not contagious to those who have been exposed already. Or so I was told! Hang in there!

Hi S.;
hand foot and mouth is a viral infection that is common in children under two years old. It is self limiting and the worst part is that the blisters hurt. Some children never get the blisters some get only mouth sores, and others get only hand blisters.

The virus will resolve on its own and the best thing to do is to comfort the child, manage the fever and use healing ointments on the skin lesions.

Watermelon is cooling and can help with the mouth sores. Topical clay and calendula/comfrey salve is cooling for the hand sores.

zinc, vitamin C and vitamin A orally help the immune system.

www.naturemedclinic.com - best, K.

My son had Hand Foot and Mouth, at least that is what I was told, they don't really do lab tests to confirm it. He never had any rash anywhere except his mouth, poor little guy was so miserable. It might be a good idea to check in with your doctor or midwife.