All About HFMD

[morriselma]

my son’s school had a k1 student confirmed case last friday. my son had high fever last sat-sunday, then yesterday subsided. this morning i sent him to school , they noticed he has 2 ulcers near the throat area. they still took him in as he had no fever but the whole day he was isolated. this afternoon his teacher called to say he complained of sore throat after teac break , around 3 pm. 2 weeks ago he had fever and doctor diagnosed him with throat infection so he had to take augmentin (antibiotics for a week). last week he was in school and was ok. could he have hfmd? any advice? thought of sending him to his doctor again tomorrow. thanks.

[phankao]

MLR:

I went to pick up DS from cc last evening and teacher mentioned that he has an ulcer in his right cheek and bcos his cc has 2 reported cases of HFMD, i need to bring him to doctor to check it out. He has no other lesions or fever, but since cc request, so went to doctor. Doctor straight away say he has mild case of HFMD. I protested that how could he diagnose HFMD with just only ONE tiny ulcer in his cheek and no other symptoms!!! So he relented and said he is just being careful since DS's cc has other confirmed cases , he also agreed that i will bring DS to see him this morning and if theres no other lesions or symptoms, he will write a letter to say that DS is unlikely to hv HFMD.


So, this morning went to wait outside clinic b4 opening and the doctor wrote the letter to say that DS is unlikely to be suffering from HFMD. Jus thinking that if other working parents are not like me, then hv to stay home for 10 days, and wondering whats the deal about HFMD/how come this time not so serious.....

At the same time very glad that the cc is vigilant in HFMD management, principal told me this morning that all children are checked 3 times a day and they had sanitized the cc since the 1st confirmed case last week, so far only 1 confirmed case this week. Hopefully its enough to prevent the spread.

HFMD does not require MC for 10 days, wat. As long as any visible symptoms of HFMD has disappeared, the child can be certified by the doctor to return to school. But need the doctor's letter certifying that. usually that takes around 5 days.

[Yong HL]

morriselma:

my son's school had a k1 student confirmed case last friday. my son had high fever last sat-sunday, then yesterday subsided. this morning i sent him to school , they noticed he has 2 ulcers near the throat area. they still took him in as he had no fever but the whole day he was isolated. this afternoon his teacher called to say he complained of sore throat after teac break , around 3 pm. 2 weeks ago he had fever and doctor diagnosed him with throat infection so he had to take augmentin (antibiotics for a week). last week he was in school and was ok. could he have hfmd? any advice? thought of sending him to his doctor again tomorrow. thanks.

Hi morriselma
my k1 daughter was just diagnosed with hfmd this evening. She has on & off temperature since saturday. At the same time on saturday, my inlaws also informed me that my daughter good fren in k2 (same school) confirmed case on hfmd. So we started monitor. The temperature since saturday is rather mild (37.2-37.4) and at times, back to normal. We didnt see any ulcers or blisters so we thought maybe weather hot. Later this afternoon, her fever came and we brought her see doc. Doc shines light into mouth and we see many little red ulcers in her mouth. Doc gave paracetamol for fever, some gel to soothe the ulcers, and a anti-virul antibodies for her. This antibody is different from the normal flu antibody. Fever will likely be another 2-3 days before subside. Now i am just worried that fever will be high... Now her temp cross 38 mark. Doc gave mc until end of this week and will have to get clearance from him again before return school.. hopefully next week....

[ChiefKiasu]

Yong HL:

... Hi morriselma

my k1 daughter was just diagnosed with hfmd this evening. She has on & off temperature since saturday. At the same time on saturday, my inlaws also informed me that my daughter good fren in k2 (same school) confirmed case on hfmd. So we started monitor. The temperature since saturday is rather mild (37.2-37.4) and at times, back to normal. We didnt see any ulcers or blisters so we thought maybe weather hot. Later this afternoon, her fever came and we brought her see doc. Doc shines light into mouth and we see many little red ulcers in her mouth. Doc gave paracetamol for fever, some gel to soothe the ulcers, and a anti-virul antibodies for her. This antibody is different from the normal flu antibody. Fever will likely be another 2-3 days before subside. Now i am just worried that fever will be high... Now her temp cross 38 mark. Doc gave mc until end of this week and will have to get clearance from him again before return school.. hopefully next week....

I'm sorry to hear that, Yong HL. We've been through it ourselves last year for our daughter... an experience best never to be repeated. There's really little that anyone can do except to sit out the fever and the ulcers, a process that takes about 10 days.

[Yong HL]

Thanks Chief… yes, both caregivers and kid have to suffer for this period… hope it passes soon…

[Yong HL]

ChiefKiasu:

I'm sorry to hear that, Yong HL. We've been through it ourselves last year for our daughter... an experience best never to be repeated. There's really little that anyone can do except to sit out the fever and the ulcers, a process that takes about 10 days.

Hi Chief,

I have some kia-see questions :
1. I heard must seperate out the cutlery sets for my kid and rest of family. Is it true?

2. Do i have to sanitise all the things she has touched in the house incl her toys, furnitures and even books? If so, i am just wondering how to sanitise the books...

3. Yesterday she was still playing and jumping. But today, she all day sian sian.. just lie and not eating much.. not even porridge water. she complained ulcers pain but still need to eat ya? My in laws cooked green bean soup for her and she also drank some glucolin, just to give her energy i thought since she's not taking much food. Is this alright?

4. She currently has ulcers in her mouth.. no blisters on hand and legs. Will the blisters eventually come out or depend on individual?

5. I am really worried about her temp coz her temp now is always at 38 mark. Does hfmd really come with such high fever and if it does, how long did it last in your case?

pai-seh ask you so many questions at one go.... really worried and just want to hear from someone who has been through.... thank you thank you...

[ChiefKiasu]

Yong HL:

Hi Chief,


I have some kia-see questions :
1. I heard must seperate out the cutlery sets for my kid and rest of family. Is it true?

Depends on whether you have another kid under 12yo living with you in the same house. If yes, then you need to take extra care to separate your sick child from the rest. Adults are much more resistent to the virus.

Separating cutlery is always a good hygiene practice.

Yong HL:

2. Do i have to sanitise all the things she has touched in the house incl her toys, furnitures and even books? If so, i am just wondering how to sanitise the books...

Again, depends on whether those things will be used by another kid. You should try to ensure they don't share the same toys or stationery.

Yong HL:

3. Yesterday she was still playing and jumping. But today, she all day sian sian.. just lie and not eating much.. not even porridge water. she complained ulcers pain but still need to eat ya? My in laws cooked green bean soup for her and she also drank some glucolin, just to give her energy i thought since she's not taking much food. Is this alright?

As long as she is taking fluids, it is ok. You need to worry only if she's not drinking even that. Give her ice-cream and fruits.

Yong HL:

4. She currently has ulcers in her mouth.. no blisters on hand and legs. Will the blisters eventually come out or depend on individual?

Depends on the individual. My daughter had zero signs of blisters on her body throughout the whole process. Only ulcers deep in her throat.

Yong HL:

5. I am really worried about her temp coz her temp now is always at 38 mark. Does hfmd really come with such high fever and if it does, how long did it last in your case?

Yes... the fever is pretty much the most troubling and dangerous of the entire episode. Her temperature ranged from 37.5C to 39.5C. We were particularly worried because she had febrile fits as a younger toddler when her temperature exceeded 40C. There's nothing much we can do, but to keep monitoring her temperature. Stock up on cooling pads, paracetomol and neurofen/blufen. Feed her paracetomol every 4 hours. Use neurofen inserts as the last resort, if the temperature does not go down even 60mins after a paracetomol feed. Sponge her everytime her fever exceeds 38C. Keep an icepack in the freezer at all times to be used in emergency. I actually had one of those gel cooling seats kept in the freezer which I will let her sleep on after covering it with towels. It was very effective in keeping her temperature under control. Put it back in the freezer when she is awake.

Yong HL:

pai-seh ask you so many questions at one go.... really worried and just want to hear from someone who has been through.... thank you thank you...

No problem at all. I'm sure there are lots of other parents out there that can give u more tips than I have. I hope your daughter will recover soon.

[Yong HL]

Thanks Chief… will take note.

I have only 1 kid… so no other kids at home. But she taken care of by my inlaws now… so just scared pass to them thats all… I also told them to practice personal hygiene too… hiaz… today ONLY 3rd day… 7 days more to go… sighz…

[MLR]

Like to add about fever meds. Its very important not to exceed 4 feeds in 24 hours. If fever is recurring, can give paracetamol and brufen alternatively. If you start with paracetamol, then 3 to 4 hrs later give ibuprofenfen (brufen), then 3 to 4 hrs later give paracetamol, then brufen.... In this way you can control the fever without exceding 4 doses of each meds in 24 hours. Another important thing is that brufen should not be taken on empty stomach. I normally make a thin rice cereal (those instant Nestle ones), give a few spoonfuls then give meds. Once fever drops to less than 39, then stops brufen.

[Yong HL]

Thanks MLR for your fever med advise too… will take note.


Meantime, i have a question to ask on hand sanitizer. I saw an advert on tv showing this family going supermarket and they apply hand sanitizer on hand BEFORE touching the pushcart. Just wonder, does hand sanitizer not only kill germs on hand, but ALSO kill germs on tings you touch? Or its merely prevent germs from sticking onto your hands? And is there such thing as over-apply sanitizer? Appreciate advise, thanks…