J.B. asks from Redlands, CA on April 27, 2008
Hand Foot Mouth
my daughter was diagnosed with hand foot mouth disease about a week ago. does anyone know by chance how long they are contagious for? she was misdiagnosed by the er. it wasnt till i took her to the dr 4 days later that i knew my suspision of hand foot mouth was right. i know theres no meds they can take for it because its a viral infection. also it will clear up on its own. i just need to know if any other child she was around before this came up is at risk to get it also. any and all advice would be helpfull.
1 mom found this helpful
So What Happened?™
thanks for all the wonderfull advice! i didnt realize it could linger for months. so far shes the only one in her play group that got it (anytime shes sick i call all parents to let them know) she is doing great and only has a few on her feet left soo hopefully it will be gone soon! thank you again!
Featured Answers
T.W. answers from Reno on April 28, 2008
ask the doctor for some magic mouthwash, they will either make it or write a script for it. it can help. (the solution can be kept for a long time if you refridgerate it)
i would also talk to the daycare about making the center a thumbsucking/fingersucking free center. I suggest this since my daughter got it about a year and a half ago.
hope this helps
E.C. answers from Los Angeles on April 28, 2008
My 13 month twin girls just got over hand, foot, mouth. The doctor said it is only contagious as long as the fever is present 1-3 days. Their daycare didn't allow them back until the spots started to scab (about 7 days).
More Answers
M.C. answers from Los Angeles on April 28, 2008
check out this site for more info:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000965.htm
I always do my research on medical stuff on the internet and it also helps to have a child's health book as a reference guide. I think the biggest thing is if you are pregnant or if your daughter has been around anyone else who is pregnant. You need to let that person know and she should tell her ob/gyn immmediately.
As far as other kids, they have probably already been exposed and you can let them know. My personal feeling is that I'd rather my child get the virus so that she builds up an immunity to it next time. It's uncomfortable for them because of the little sores, but it's not a huge deal and it goes away in about a week. All of my kids have had it and my husband got it once also. It was worse for him than it was for my kids. I hear that most people get it as children so it's pretty rare for adults to get it, but they can.
L.B. answers from Los Angeles on April 28, 2008
my son had it when he was a toddler and he got it from a child care center toy box so it definitly is contagous- we were just visiting a friend who was a teacher and he played with stuff in the toy box and then that friend told me lots of her kids had come down with it- a day or 2 later my son came down with it. It is awful about the only thing my son would eat were push up pops and popscicles- I guess the cold made his mouth feel better-good luck, the days are long when your kids have this.
J.L. answers from San Diego on April 28, 2008
J. some things are just a part of child hood, but had foot and mouth is very contageous. For her mouth, go to a health food store, and get some tTea Tree Oil, and with a q tip treathe inside of her mouth, it does;t tast good but its works really good, we use it in my house for a lot of stuff, We got ours at Henry's. J.
C.D. answers from Los Angeles on April 28, 2008
My son had it and as long as the sores are present he is contagious. My peditrician told me to give my son motrin to help with the pain about a half an hour before he ate. He also told me to keep the tempature in the room as cool as possible it really help with my son being comfortable.
S.P. answers from San Diego on April 28, 2008
i did some reading and as far as i can tell they are contagious for only a few weeks after physical symptoms appear but they can be carriers for up to two months prior to the appearance of physical symptoms... so if you have had any play dates in the last few months i would let the parents know... GOOD LUCK!
A.E. answers from Los Angeles on April 28, 2008
When I was an infant teacher, I saw this come through the daycare center about every three years. It is extremely contagious and most centers won't allow a child to return until the symptoms subside. Daycare Center must also have the carpets cleaned and disinfect all surfaces, sheets, toys, ect. thourouhly. You may find this link to be helpful:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hand-foot-and-mouth-dise...
T.W. answers from Reno on April 28, 2008
ask the doctor for some magic mouthwash, they will either make it or write a script for it. it can help. (the solution can be kept for a long time if you refridgerate it)
i would also talk to the daycare about making the center a thumbsucking/fingersucking free center. I suggest this since my daughter got it about a year and a half ago.
hope this helps
C.S. answers from Los Angeles on April 28, 2008
Our doctor said it was contagious as long as there are sores and/or fever.
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