Is This Hand, Foot, Mouth?

Updated on April 24, 2012
K.C. asks from Virginia Beach, VA
6 answers

My 6-yr old son says he just doesn't feel well, has a mild cough, and one small sore in his mouth. He does NOT have a fever, sore throat or any blisters on his hands or feet. A friend's son had HFM last month and I know it's making it's way through a local gym (we go to a different gym). Haven't heard of any cases at school though.

Trying to decide if he can go to school. Or if I should try to quarantine him for a few days..... Any thoughts? Thanks!

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So What Happened?

Fortunately, it was NOT HFM! He probably just has my propensity for canker sores, and picked up a little cough like all of the other kids around here. Thanks for all the advice, though! Much appreciated!

More Answers

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J.<.

answers from Columbus on

i would defiantly keep him home and call the doctors to get him checked out just for in case he does have hfm , That way if its not hfm then he is not missing out on school

1 mom found this helpful
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J.C.

answers from New York on

Just a warning - you can get it too! It's not just for kids. So be very careful and wash your hands constantly. I unfortunately know from first hand experience. I thought I was going to die when I had it a few years ago.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.H.

answers from Canton on

Can he eat? When my son had it, he could barely handle to eat anything. To be on the safe side, I would keep him home to see if any other symptoms start to show throughout the day.

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C.L.

answers from Minneapolis on

I would keep him home to be safe and call the doctor's office. It is VERY contagious. FYI, unless he is really sick or having complications they usually don't even want them to come to the clinic. When my son had it he developed a low grade fever first and then the sores. Good luck.

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K.H.

answers from Indianapolis on

HFM just went around my daycare - and from 2 different pediatrician's we heard that you are not 'as' contagious once the blisters appear (and a blister on the throat counts as a blister). Meaning - as long as he doesn't slobber all over everyone, he should be fine...as long as he feels well enough to be in school.

Both my girls had it. My 9 year old had blisters ALL OVER her hands and feet. My 4 year old had one blister on the back of her throat and a minor fever a couple of days before.

It really is NO FUN and there is nothing you can do to make it go away. :(

Good Luck!

N.C.

answers from Rockford on

Hmmm...JUST had this make it's way through my daycare...on spring break! So almost ALL my lil ones got it! One had it so bad, she missed almost 2 weeks of school (she is 6) and was screaming in pain, but another had it so mild, he didn't even have a fever and only had a few sores. It's very contagious and in my opinion, if lil ones are exposed, they are going to get it! It's much like chicken pox, but has a much shorter incubation (3-6 days) and the spots don't seem to last as long either...in all my lil ones who had it, it was cleared up in a couple of days. And, once they have it, shouldn't get it again.

The nurse I spoke to said that older kids can be carriers of it too, so I my daughter didn't babysit the week it went through here, just in case, so she didn't infect the 2 yr old she watches.

Anyway, if you think at all he has it, keep him home...keep an eye and if it does present, make sure to notify school and maybe call docs office. (so they can track it.) Best of luck...it is NO fun!

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