My daughter was diagnosed with Hand Foot and Mouth Disease this afternoon at her pediatrician after her daycare (she is 2) called me this morning saying she had 3 blisters on her one palm. I noticed bumps on her buttocks yesterday but thought nothing of it because she has diaper rash often due to sensitive skin -- who knew but the CDC says you can get blisters there as well. My problem is -- Doc said she is not contagious now (no fever, no mouth sores -- just breaking out in hand and butt blisters) and can go back to school Monday. She also said we should have my daughter's birthday party tomorrow as she isn't contagious (there will be 10 kids ages 19 mos-15 yrs there). Is our doctor a loon? All my friends are telling me this is contagious for 7-10 days! Help! I am not sure whether to cancel the party and keep her out of school (despite the doctor's note) or act as if the doc is right...
UPDATE: I checked with the daycare (a Montessori school) when I picked up our son (he is 8 mos) and they have a written policy on HFM and a school nurse. The policy is that after the fever and mouth sores are gone, they are free to come back. My daughter never had the fever or mouth sores -- at least not that anyone (including us) noticed, never lost her appetite, never acted more tired... since all those invited to the party are family members, we shared what the doc said, the daycare said and are leaving it up to them. The two youngest attendees other than my kids are 3.5 yrs and 19 mos and they had a playdate the day before (Thursday) and everyone met up last Sunday for a nephew's party -- my guess is that my daughter has to have been infectious during at least 1 of those family get togethers. I found on-line that the Mayo Clinic also only recommends keeping kids out of daycare during the fever and mouth sores period...which is not quite in line with the CDC. Thanks for your advice. We are keeping a close eye on her and if we see mouth sores or she spikes a fever, I guess we keep her home and in isolation for a while....but the hand blisters/rash are supposed to be a later sign when the virus is pretty close to running its course.
I agree with everyone else, it's very contagious. Strange that the doc would say otherwise. I picked up my son last year from daycare and was alarmed to see blisters on my son't hands and feet so I took him right to the ER. He was diagnosed with HFM and they told me it's extremely contagious. I then followed up with his ped and was also told by her that it's very contagious.
I was exposed while pregnant & had a very scary pregnancy. Side effects in pregnant woman include birth defects, stillborn & anemia. Please be careful to keep your kids away from anyone who may be expecting. I never had one symptom either just a random test my doctor ran.
A.,
My son had HFM when he was about 2. It is very contagious and I would cancel the party and keep her out of school. It is very painful, so your little one can not be feeling that good! That Dr. is crazy and I would find another!
Hi A.,
We are in the exact same boat! My two daughter broke out with mouth sores on their tonsils and high fevers this week. They have been pretty miserable. We had to cancel our older daughter's birthday party this Sunday because our pediatrician said that she was contagious for 3-5 days. I also heard from the urgent care center where we had to take our other daughter (after doctor's hours) that it was 5-7 days. We considered just warning everyone, but decided that it was better to reschedule the party. The nurse at my doctor's office said that it is especially dangerous for both the elderly and small children. That said, we definitely cancelled our party for tomorrow because the second of my daughters just broke out on Thursday morning. I hope that your daughter feels better and that your little guy doesn't get it at all.
It is very contagious. I would not let her attend My daycare until blisters were gone. Hope this helps.
Here is a link to CDC's info. Looks like it is actually contagious even a couple of weeks after the symptoms are gone: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/enterovirus/hfhf.htm
I would be sure to pass this on to your ped who must have forgotten that day of medical school and isn't able to read;)
As a registered nurse I agree with all the other writers: keep her home. Also I must add- get a new doctor. The info you received does not seem to be based on current literature. You deserve only the latest directives on care and treatment for each illness.
