Anyone whose child has had Virus - Hand, Foot and Mouth disease?

Krista - posted on 10/11/2011

Well, I would assume (hope) that the OP's grandson has long since recovered, so I think it's time to lock this thread. Thanks so much for your great advice and information, everybody!

Krista
WTCOM Moderator

Debra - posted on 10/11/2011

Thank you for esponding to my posting - it was the first for me. What I wanted to make everyone understand is that it is so important to build up our childrens immunity from the very start - even better yet in our bellies. When our immuntiy system is strong, we are better able to fight off these old & new viruses trying to attack us. Let me know what you think. In Health and Happiness....Debra

Debra - posted on 10/11/2011

Thank you for esponding to my posting - it was the first for me. What I wanted to make everyone understand is that it is so important to build up our childrens immunity from the very start - even better yet in our bellies. When our immuntiy system is strong, we are better able to fight off these old & new viruses trying to attack us. Let me know what you think. In Health and Happiness....Debra

Michele - posted on 10/10/2011

I'm sorry Donna, but there is no such thing as a viral antibiotic. Viruses and bacteria are two different forms of infections. Bacterial infections can be cured by medicine, viral infections cannot. Alot of viral diseases (chicken pox, measles for example) have vaccines that prevent them in the first place, but there is no cure. Some viruses are called self-limiting. meaning you just have to let them run their course. HFMD is one of these. Chicken pox and the flu are others. Some there are no cure for and you live with for the rest of your life, like viral hepatitis, HIV, HPV. Some are so destructive to the body it kills in a short period of time, like Ebola.
I know that's a lot of semi-irrelavent information, but the basic point is there is no way the erythromycin helped the Coxsackie infection. It would, however, help keep the open sores from getting infected. Secondary infections can be pretty painful and can scar. My husband has quite a few scars from his chicken pox infection in childhood because the sores themselves became infected. That is most likely why your doctor prescribed the antibiotic. I'm glad your son is better, though. HFMD is certainly no picnic.

Donna - posted on 10/10/2011

my son had it twice and was given eurythamisin, its a viral antibiotic, and helped within days! he had it mostly in his mouth and stopped eating which was a worry.

Debra - posted on 10/07/2011

I have heard about this happening to children with a poor immune system. How old is your baby?

Margaret - posted on 10/07/2011

Both my boys had the Coxsackie Virus and HFMD a couple months ago. It was horrible. Someone mentioned here that it only lasts 2-3 days-- they were lucky if that's how quick their kids virus was ;) -- both my boys were miserable for a good 7 days and the sores were very visible for 2 weeks. Our dr recommended Motrin around the click on a very strict schedule.

Paola - posted on 10/05/2011

My son had it when he was like 2 (he's 13 now) and we did the icee thing and cloraseptic to help numb the mouth. The doctor also told us we just had to ride it out.

Angel - posted on 09/26/2011

best rule of thumb cleanliness keep him clean as possible,it should only last 7-10 days , non- aspirin pain reliever for pain ,if she didnt tell you the correct name for the virus is coxsackie virus,do a search on it if it goes longer get a second oppinion

Karen - posted on 09/25/2011

I just read Michele Brown's post which I found to be very well wrote with a lot of very important information. It should help clear up a lot of misconceptions for any moms/dads/caregivers that had questions.

However there is one point that I would like to make regarding the doctors and schools saying that it is "safe" for the children to return to classes. While it may be safe for the children that already have HFMD, it is not necessarily true for all of the kids that have not had it.

My son has a very rare disease (125 kids world wide) and because of his meds he is severely immuno-compromised. He can pick up the common cold and end up being hospitalized with it. Contact with Chickenpox and/or Shingles is so dangerous to him that we only have 72 hours to get him to the emergency for 2 VZIG shots which are the good antibodies from donated blood. So far we have been lucky in catching the exposures in time to get these needles thanks to my son's school being so vigilant in making all parents aware of the fact that if my son catches Chickenpox and does not get those needles, it will most likely be fatal. Unfortunately these needles only last 30 days and if he is exposed again after 30 days, we have to start all over again. And each time he gets these blood products, he is in danger of allergic reactions, rejection, and any unknown diseases that blood is not screened for.

So, for the health and safety of those children, like my son, please keep your child home if they are sick and/or contagious in any way. It may save a child's life who just wants to go to school so they can learn and play with their peers. As much as I would like to put him in a bubble, I know that's very selfish of me, he just wants life to be normal.

Michele - posted on 09/24/2011

For clarification, Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease is NOT THE SAME as Foot and Mouth disease. They are both caused by viruses, but the viruses are not related. HFMD is a human disease, FM is an animal disease. From the CDC website "HFMD is often confused with foot-and-mouth (also called hoof-and-mouth) disease, a disease of cattle, sheep, and swine; however, the two diseases are not related—they are caused by different viruses." Also, HFMD is caused by the coxsackie virus, like many people have already posted. IT is possible to get it more than once if you manifest it mildly (like my son did, no mouth sores, only rash and fever) but keep in mind there are many strains of the coxsackie virus. This means it is possible to catch it more than once even if you have a more severe bout of it. It's just like the flu in that respect. From the CDC website "Infection results in immunity to (protection against) the specific virus that caused HFMD. A second case of HFMD may occur following infection with a different member of the enterovirus group."
As for needing to stay home from school, it just depends on what your doctor recommends and what the school districts policy is. My school districts policy for coxsackievirus is that they do not need to be isolated, and my son's pediatrician has the same feeling. As long as my son was not feverish, he was at school. He was the second child with it at his daycare, so they had already started supercleaning procedures. No other child got it. It wouldn't happen like that everywhere, but it went well at my son's school.

Sarah - posted on 09/24/2011

ER dr and pediatrician both told me it is contagious to other children for about 5 days after symptom onset. we build up an immunity to it, but you can get it multiple times until the immunity is there. The baby scratched my neck and I got the rash, but the older kids and hubby were fine.

Antoinette - posted on 09/24/2011

Ahhh Michelle I think the same thing, I'm sitting there like a rag doll run over by a truck because I'm so tired from several days without sleep and worried about my kid not sleeping, eating or drinking for days writhing in pain and some Dr's are SO blase! "Rest and plenty of fluids" Um Hello I'm here because he can't rest and won't drink and spits the pain relief in my face! And then the conflicting advice about whether or not it's contagious and how contagious it is if it is, whether or not they will get it again. VERY frustrating sometimes.

EDITED to add: there are some very helpful and consciencious Drs who will go out of their way to give you as much advice and information as possible AND tell you when they are unsure and find a second opinion or refer you on. Those Drs I like and praise, but they're diamonds in the rough!

Michelle - posted on 09/24/2011

well my first son got it twice from the same daycare...ugh...and then proceeded to pass it along to me...it is not pretty...smoothies, sherbet now you may try frozen go gurts...i feel your pain but it is one of many "viruses" they will get.. i swear when the doctors dont know what it is they say its viral...let it run it course...good luck to you!

Nadine - posted on 09/24/2011

when my daughter had it, she had it very bad in her mouth. The pediatrician gave us a numbing gel to help with the discomfort. We couldn't get her to eat or drink.

Kwiyoung - posted on 09/23/2011

My son had that including a rash in his mouth but he didn't seem to be bothered by it except a little decrease in appretite. We just made sure he got plenty of rest and the virus passed without incident.

Kathryn - posted on 09/23/2011

Coxsackie virus, runs it's course in 2-3 days. Hard to see a little one uncomfortable, but he won't get it again...lifetime immunity is formed when they have it :-) Good luck!

Tracy - posted on 09/22/2011

My son has the virus caught it from Child Care I took him to the doctor and the doctor did say there nothing you can do just let it run its course. I was told if itching put Calomine Lotion on and Panadol for any pain, and make sure hands are frequently washed and try to keep your childs hands out of their mouth. It is a common thing at the moment with children.

Jennifer - posted on 09/22/2011

the doc is right there is nothing if he is itching put calomine lotion and if his throat is hurting try ice pops my kids had it it usually goes away 7 to 10 days hope he feels better

Jennifer - posted on 09/22/2011

the doc is right there is nothing if he is itching put calomine lotion and if his throat is hurting try ice pops my kids had it it usually goes away 7 to 10 days hope he feels better

L - posted on 09/21/2011

use caladryl or calosoft lotion. the mouth ulcers are really painful and the child will not be able to eat or drink anything. my daughter had it about a year back and suffered. give powdered(grind it) flavoured oats or mashed up rice and curds

Kathy - posted on 09/21/2011

It's called coxsackie disease. My 2 granddaughters had it this past July. The doctor said they contracted it by being in lake water. The sores in the throat stayed for about 7 days. They took Tylenol for the fever and drank plenty of water (juices irritated their throats).

Cheryl - posted on 09/21/2011

We went through this with our granddaughter. Not a whole lot to do but use comfort measures. Benadryl was helpful and Ibuprofen. if there is a real skin issues, maybe an oatmeal bath? Hope your little one gets better soon. :-)

Christi - posted on 09/21/2011

There isn't much you can do. If most of the sores are in the mouth, milkshakes and frozen pancakes help a lot. Tylenol for fever. That is pretty much all you can do (and a little TLC). It is a terrible virus. My son got it and then got it again a year later. My husband caught it from my son too. It is even worse in adults. Wash everything and keep others away from him so they don't catch it too.

Nitsa - posted on 09/21/2011

My daughter had it a few months ago when she was approximately 2 years old - it was awful and she was in terrible pain and couldn't eat or drink. Pediatrician put her on antibiotics - Amoxil - as sores were very bad in her mouth.

Tracy - posted on 09/21/2011

Hi there,it is awful and yes the doctors do not give you any help,i went to a chemist and they gave me a clear liquid which numbs the inside of the mouth especially if there are any blisters at the back of the mouth,i am not sure of i am able to give you the name online but i will and see whether they allow it or not,it is liquid ambesol,use an earbud when you apply in the mouth and straight onto the area that has the blister.Hope this helps you,it definitely helped us.

Sharon - posted on 09/20/2011

My son had it when he was about 3 and I was told the same thing by the doctor. However, I chose to use paw-paw cream for the rash as it's natural. This seamed to work well. I don't remember it spreading too badly after that.

Kyla - posted on 09/20/2011

My son when he had it he was still little and everyone says not to use salt but I put a tad on his sucky. And he drank some water and spit it out plus he foiund it fun as a game and he was able to eat and drink in a matter of minutes :)

Michelle - posted on 09/20/2011

mix benedryl and maalox and swab it in the mouth to make it easier to eat. That's what our Doc had us do for our 1 yr old.

Shawna - posted on 09/20/2011

When my daughter had it at age 2, the biggest problem we had was keeping her hydrated because of the mouth sores. I was able to get some "Swizzle and Spit" from her doctor which numbed her mouth enough to let her swallow water and popsicles. Tylenol as directed, helped with rest. Virus must run the course, the most important thing you can do is treat the symptoms.

Haniyyah - posted on 09/20/2011

It is way go to another doctor I work at a day care center and one of my kids had the same thing her mother took her to the doctors and gave her an antibiotic she had to take by mouth so there is something for your grandson go to another doctor.

Jenn - posted on 09/20/2011

My son had this, but he didn't have a rash. His mouth however was covered in sores. I had to give him Motrin for the pain for a few weeks.

Karen - posted on 09/20/2011

My children have had it and so has my granddaughter. It is frustrating when a doctor says that you have to let it take it's course. Sure it does but that doesn't mean that you can't do things to help them through it. For the body rash I put the kids in a luke warm bath with baking soda in the water and when they got out I put calamine lotion on them. As for the ones in the mouth, get liquid allergy medicine and whatever is the child's weight appropriate dose is put that in a medicine cup. Then you add the same amount of Diovol and mix the 2 together. Get the child to swish little sips of it in their mouth for 30-60 seconds before they swallow it and continue until it's all gone. Keep doing this until they have all the mixture gone.You can do this as often as the bottle says to repeat the allergy medicine as if the child was using it for allergies. This will numb the pain of the bumps in the mouth, coat the mouth and also help relieve the body itch. If your grandson is too young to swish this in his mouth then dip a Q-tip in the mixture and rub the inside of his mouth or let him suck on the Q-tip while you hold onto it. Hope this helps.

Sweda - posted on 09/20/2011

my 16 month old grandson had it. all we could do was give him tylenol for the fever and feed him popsicles. he had the rash all over his little body including his mouth. no meds to help just time and alot of loving! it took over a week to subside.

Melyna - posted on 09/20/2011

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Sarah - posted on 09/20/2011

I was told (ONLY IF HES ITCHY) a little bennadryl cream. (mine is one and just got over it) otherwise, it's just a childhood thing a LOT of babies go through, it's contagious to other kids, but not adults (though, i got a rash like it after he scratched up my neck) and it's not serious. just a virus, no meds. there's really nothing you can do unfortunately. I was told no cortisone because you don't want him soaking up the steroids in it at this point.

Irene - posted on 09/19/2011

It is called Pink Magic (a mix of lidocaine, benadryl, maalox, and nystatin). It works great, but you need a prescription.

Natalie - posted on 09/19/2011

hi my son had it very bad he had the rash all over his body and sores all in his mouth he found it hard 2 eat so for 2 weeks he lived in ice pops and yogurts the only thing i gived him is calpol and a spray for his month and throat it called difflam spray to help stop it from being so sore just so he could eat abit more than he was i would say be carefull with other children because my son and 2 other children in the family all got in space of a week off each other hope this helps i would get the spray it really helps alot.

Elizabeth - posted on 09/19/2011

The maalox and the benadryl mix really works. Hand foot and mouth is so painful but this can make them a little more comfortable!

Jan - posted on 09/19/2011

My son had that as a baby, the pediatrician put him on equal parts of Maalox and Benydryl. It sounds weird but the chemicals react and cause the mouth and throat to numb so the child is not uncomfortable. For the rash oatmeal baths are great relief.

Rachel - posted on 09/19/2011

My babys had this a few months ago it's awful I just kept givin them calpol and drinks and my 3 year old daughter seemed to really appreciate ice Lollys to soothe the blisters inside her mouth but there is really nothin you can do hope your grandsons feelin better soon :)

Maria Elita - posted on 09/19/2011

just gave him or her a bath everyday so the itchiness will be less

ANSON - posted on 09/18/2011

give abit of ice cream as told by my frenz. My elder son gt it too last wk. jus the whole body jus left den 10 spots. e most is the upper mouth no ucler all. Doc give us a oral lotion to numb their mouth, I jus keep my son clean. change slping clothes every night & afternoon 1 set of clothes slping all change. bath with warm abit hot type. I believe hot can kill gems too.

Kelly - posted on 09/18/2011

I remember some combination of the Benedryl and Maalox...

Kelly - posted on 09/18/2011

My doctor gave me a prescription to put in his mouth. It was a dark purple color that stained just about everything. It cleared that portion up though. He didn't have the typical rash anywhere else though. Good luck.

Becky - posted on 09/18/2011

Haven't read all the other responses, so sorry if I repeat what someone else already said. My son had it last year, just in time for his first birthday! :( His main symptom was sores in his mouth and throat and fever, he never got much of a rash elsewhere. The doctors told us to mix a couple drops of Benadryl with a teaspoon of Maalox and give him a couple drops of that and it would coat his mouth and throat. They also said to use Ibuprofin for pain relief, as it is also an anti-inflammatory and would help reduce swelling. It only lasted about 3 days for him.

Misty - posted on 09/18/2011

My daughter peditricain told us to buy something over the counter..I can't think of the name and it would number her throat so she would drink fluids. I almost want to say it was something chalky and white. I would ask your peditrician. I had never heard of it before and my daughter got it at around 8 months from a shopping cart.

Carol - posted on 09/18/2011

It lasted two weeks for my grad on last year when he was just shy ipof his first birthday. Poor littlebguy was miserable. His mommy and I took turns comforting him while the other got some sleep.

Jasmine - posted on 09/18/2011

I took my daughter to the hospital and the gave her tylenol codine to stop pain so we could get some sleep...I hope that helps...but there isn't anything that can help it go away it does have to run its long sleepless course...LOL

Autumn - posted on 09/17/2011

The stuff to numb the mouth is called Magic Mouthwash for future reference.