Sick Infant

My son got this when he was about 8 or 9 months old. It was a mild case and we wouldn't have known he was sick except for a few blisters on the palms of his hands and soles of his feet. I'd never had this while growing up, so I got it too. It didn't keep me from going to work, but everyone left my computer alone for weeks afterward (which was fine by me). We had very low grade temperatures but rest and plenty of fluids did the trick and we were over it in about 10 days.

I agree with Hand, Foot and Mouth. It could also be thrush. I know you said you aren't breastfeeding anymore, but my friend stopped breastfeeding when her son was a couple weeks old and at 9 months he had thrush.

Either way, sterilize all bottles, cups, binkies, etc. Wash blankets, sheets, any washable stuffed toys, in HOT water. Lysol or use a bleach/water mixutre to disinfect all the toys, crib, etc. Maybe do it every couple days until all symptoms of sickness are gone.

As always, use common sense and wash your hands often. Otherwise, just give him extra love and keep him hydrated.

Sounds like hand-foot-mouth which is going around right now. If you google it, you can probably find pictures to compare his blisters to the typical ones. I believe the blisters can be quite mild.

It is possible tha tit is dryness too - drool/saliva dries out the skin and doesn't moisturize it. Same reason you should use a lip moisturizer and not jus twet your lips with your tongue.

Lsst thought, my daughter just had a virus this week - low grade fever, loss of appetite, crankiness, and evenually nasal symptoms and a cough. I finally took her to the doctor, not because of htose symptoms, but because I thought she had developed an ear infection. Doctor told me there is currently an outbreak of the flu in our area (NoVA). Yes, swine flu, and they think that's what she had based on her symptoms. There not even testing for it anymore and it is very mild, and they think that is a good think because it may boost immunity come the fall and a winter outbreak.

Hi K.,
my 5 month old, has something very similar and he just got diagnosed
with hand, foot & mouth disease. I was told by our Doctor, that it takes
10 days to clear up & that is going around (there is no medicine for it, it just
has to run it's course). Keep him away from other children
for 10 days, because it is very contagious. Incubation period is also of 10 days.
It is very hard to see them this sick, but try to keep him hydrated and give him
plenty of love. I was also told that once they have it once, they will never get it
again. Good luck & I completely understand what you are going through.
Connie

K.,
This definitely sounds like hand,foot, and mouth disease. It is a virus, like the other poster said. Look at his hands, and his feet and see if he has any blister like white spots there as well. There is also no medication for this. But I have to disagree with her about them not being able to get it again. I have known MANY children that get this virus about once a year (if not more). Be very careful with this though. Make sure that your baby is getting enough liquids, and is at least eating something each day. I have known children who refused to drink and had to be hospitalized for dehydration because of this virus. It is a miserable thing for them to have. I hope he feels better soon!!!!

Just to help you out, I have copied some info from the CDC website for you:

How It Is Spread

* Infection is spread from person to person by direct contact with infectious virus. Infectious virus is found in the nose and throat secretions, saliva, blister fluid, and stool of infected persons. The virus is most often spread by persons with unwashed, virus-contaminated hands and by contact with virus-contaminated surfaces.

* Infected persons are most contagious during the first week of the illness.

* The viruses that cause HFMD can remain in the body for weeks after a patient's symptoms have gone away. This means that the infected person can still pass the infection to other people even though he/she appears well. Also, some persons who are infected and excreting the virus, including most adults, may have no symptoms.

* HFMD is not transmitted to or from pets or other animals.

Illness

* The disease usually begins with a fever, poor appetite, malaise (feeling vaguely unwell), and often with a sore throat.

* One or 2 days after fever onset, painful sores usually develop in the mouth. They begin as small red spots that blister and then often become ulcers. The sores are usually located on the tongue, gums, and inside of the cheeks.

* A non-itchy skin rash develops over 1–2 days. The rash has flat or raised red spots, sometimes with blisters. The rash is usually located on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet; it may also appear on the buttocks and/or genitalia.

* A person with HFMD may have only the rash or only the mouth sores.

Also here is the link to the CDC website in case you want more information.
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/enterovirus/hfhf.htm#4

I hope your baby gets better soon!

Just so you know, if it IS hand foot and mouth, there may be spots on his hiney as well. They can't really call it Hand, Foot, Mouth, and Butt, but that's what it effects! LOL!

Hope he's feeling better!

K.,

When my daughter was 7 - 8 months old, she had a viral infection. She had a fever of 101, she was cranky and tire. Her lips also looked like they were chapped, but they weren't. After about a week, the infection went away. I had to let it run its course. She wasn't contagious, but I kept her away from other kids, just to be on the safe side. I am sure he will be fine. Hope he feels better soon.