Hello. We took our son to the doctors Monday because he had blisters on his hands and was running a fever..we found out he has hand,foot and mouth. Im wondering if anyone knows exctly how long they are contagious for since Thanksgiving is tomorrow we are worried about taking him to familys houses with other kids will be there. His doctor said a week is usually how long it takes..but Im not sure if thats how long he'll be contagious for or thats the lenth of the illness. Hes still got them on his hands not as many as Monday, and has a few more in the mouth than he did Monday. He wont eat baby food only takes a bottle or a sippy cup of water or milk...wont take juice b/c Im thinking it burns his mouth. But doctor said all we can do is pain meds and use an anti acid and put it on his blisters. Hes very fussy...anyone know how long the actual contagious part lasts for and if anyone has any ideas how it make him happy please feel free to let me know. Thanks!
My son (7 yo) recently had the same thing. He ended up with sores around him mouth. Poor thing! He had to be on his meds one day before he could go back to school. It was about a week before he was pretty much healed. Good luck
E., as long as he has the blisters he is still contagious.
Also it can be spread by contact of fecal matter so wash wash wash hands well after diaper changes.
Sorry, I know that is not really great news.
If he has having trouble with eating because of blisters in his mouth, try soft cool foods...jello, yogurt, milk shakes, cottage cheese.
Good luck
B.
I was alwas told they are still contagious as long as there are blisters. It is transmitted from secretion of the nose, throat and fluid in blisters and stools. If in Child Care mine would not be allowed back till blisters are gone. You can google the web by asking "how long are you contagious from Hand,foot, mouth disease." I would keep mine home away from family.
E. my niece just got over this and her doctor said a week also she had the blisters for over a week she was around my daughter who is almost 2 and she never really showed signs of having it so it's your call weather to take her or not if it were me I would stay home.
When my son was younger, he had this many, many times. We were always told that once the fever was gone, (without the help of medicine, of course) he was no longer contagious. It's like they are contagious before you know anything is really wrong and by then they've likely spread it to others. Such a fun little sickness! Ugh!
Another suggestion...you mentioned antacids and I just wanted to make sure they were clear with you about that. What we were always told to do was to give him some Mylanta liquid and have him swish it around his mouth and then spit it out.
Hope this helps! Luckily for me, I think my son has finally learned to keep things out of his mouth!
I was always told that they were contagious only while they have the fever. Once the spots showed up they were past the contagious part. I am not a doctor, but that is what we go by at the child care center where I work!
Good Morning E., I would call your pharmacy and ask them these questions. It's possible the medication is keeping it from spreading. There used to be a Dr.'s & Nurses hotline. But now it seems they can't answer questions.
Just call either your Dr. leave message with service to call you back or pharmist, they can tell you for sure.
God Bless, have a wonderful Thanksgiving where ever it may be.
K. Nana of 5
he is very contagious if he still has the blisters and fever. VERY CONTAGIOUS. don't bring him anywhere, or everyone will get it. usually takes a couple of weeks to completely fade. good luck!
Oh Honey,
Foot-in-mouth is very very very contagious... Don't worry it can happen to the best of us (even the cleanest of mommies)the main thing is, wash blankets and bedding, use bleach and Lysol on all toys, and all things around the house if possible. If he has had any contact with any other children, (which every child does) he could have got it that way. I would think first before I would really inform your Daycare provider, unless they know you well enough to know you are a clean house keeper. (I am not so much, I have 5 children, and breed pups)Not that my children have ever been in daycare. IF you happen to have a pet or if your son has had ANY contact with dirt off of a pups feet or even their poopoo, that could be the culprit as well. In any matter, I wouldn't expose anyone unwillingly to this infection. (you may want to inform grandparents first) Most adults can handle it, but if anyone has had Chemo or open sores, it could lead to shingles for them, which is very painful I hear. Washing hands often can help clear it up as well. good luck- I've been there, your lucky you only have 1 child! THEY SAY THE FIRST TIME THEY GET IT IS THE WORST.. one thing to be happy about.
Hi E.,
First of all let me say I feel for you and your little boy. My little girl had that and the contagious part I was told by my doctor lasted a week. I was also to keep her out of daycare for a week. Over all it took about 2 weeks until she acted like her old self. She was fussy and very needy and just wanted to be held a lot. It is so pitiful b/c there isn't much you can do for them. She ran a low grade temp for 11 days. That part drove me crazy, I worry more when she has a fever. But hang in there b/c it will eventually go away. Also some people will tell you that once they have it they are immune to it and can't get it again.......that is wrong. My sweetie got it twice. Granted the second time wasn't near as bad as the first but she didn't get it again. Usually they are contagious and are carrying it before you even realize what it is and they have exposed other kids to it without knowing, I guess that is why it spreads so easy. I was also told to avoid taking her around elderly people that might get sick easy and pregnant women. Good luck and hang it there he will get past this. Happy Thanksgiving!!
L.
