Hand, Foot, Mouth Exposure....WWYD

[sangtarah]

How worried would you be? 

 

We are supposed to have our first day of co-op tomorrow, but a baby in the nursery had HFM this morning. I'm trying to decide if we should attend, or stay home. All three of my kids and I held or played with this little one. Plus, I'm early in a pregnancy, which is another concern altogether.

 

Anyway, would you attend an all day co-op with your family in the morning? Or, wait at home in case someone develops the illness?

[mom2samlibby]

I wouldn't skip.  You may get it, you may not.  

[Spryte]

It's easily spread, and can be contagious before symptoms.

 

You should know in 3-5 days if anyone is going to get it.

 

I'd skip this week.

 

YMMV.

Agreed. Don't risk spreading it.

 

DD had it and it wasn't a big deal. But DS and I are both immune compromised, and it was a six week nightmare for both of us. And both of us lost every finger and toenail months later. That was *not* lovely. At all. We were both very ill. I would not risk spreading that to another immune compromised individual. I know some of you will disagree with me, but I'm being honest. I would wait out the incubation before taking my kids into kid-heavy areas, just in case. Unless you know that no one in your co-op is immune compromised? I can't tell you how I wish that the person who had it, and went out to spread it, had stayed home that day. :(

[catz]

We were told it is primarily easily spread during the fever and the 24 hours following.  Beyond that it's about bodily fluids.  Don't share food or silverware and use good handwashing protocol, which everyone should be doing anyway at a school or co-op setting.  Did the baby have a fever?  Was the baby spitting up?  Did you change baby's diapers and not carefully wash hands?  Did baby have open blisters?  I'm pretty irritated on your behalf that someone brought a baby they knew had something.

 

Honestly, I look at what would be an acceptable absentee from work or school.  Being possibly exposed to something really wouldn't be an excused absence most places.  We pay for our co-op classes, so we are sick or have a pre-planned absence when we miss them which is rarely. 

[sangtarah]

We were told it is primarily easily spread during the fever and the 24 hours following.  Beyond that it's about bodily fluids.  Don't share food or silverware and use good handwashing protocol, which everyone should be doing anyway at a school or co-op setting.  Did the baby have a fever?  Was the baby spitting up?  Did you change baby's diapers and not carefully wash hands?  Did baby have open blisters?  I'm pretty irritated on your behalf that someone brought a baby they knew had something.

 

Honestly, I look at what would be an acceptable absentee from work or school.  Being possibly exposed to something really wouldn't be an excused absence most places.  We pay for our co-op classes, so we are sick or have a pre-planned absence when we miss them which is rarely. 

 

 

The baby wasn't feverish (at least no one noticed) during nursery, but Mom took her to Urgent Care after lunch with 103 fever and blisters in her mouth. I have to believe she had those during church, too. Unless they have rapid onset? She was very picky during snack time, and did not eat much. I do not blame Mom at all - I'm sure if she suspected, she wouldn't have brought baby to church. She let everyone know as soon as she got the dx, so we could be on the look out. 

 

My youngest dd rocked baby to sleep right before parent pick up time. 

 

We also pay for co-op classes, which are quite pricey. Plus, being the first day is a big deal. It's a new experience for all of us, and my youngest dd is very nervous about it. It also takes a lot of preparation, and I'm trying to decide if I should make all the necessary preparations tonight or not.  :crying:

[catz]

The baby wasn't feverish (at least no one noticed) during nursery, but Mom took her to Urgent Care after lunch with 103 fever and blisters in her mouth. I have to believe she had those during church, too. Unless they have rapid onset? She was very picky during snack time, and did not eat much. I do not blame Mom at all - I'm sure if she suspected, she wouldn't have brought baby to church. She let everyone know as soon as she got the dx, so we could be on the look out. 

 

My youngest dd rocked baby to sleep right before parent pick up time. 

 

We also pay for co-op classes, which are quite pricey. Plus, being the first day is a big deal. It's a new experience for all of us, and my youngest dd is very nervous about it. It also takes a lot of preparation, and I'm trying to decide if I should make all the necessary preparations tonight or not.  :crying:

 

Awww that stinks.  :( 

 

Honestly, I'd still go unless someone woke up feeling off.  I would have thrown everyone in the shower/bath immediately upon finding out and went into neurotic hand washing and high alert mode, but I wouldn't stay home.  I've worked in nursery, child care, and classroom situations.  You're always being exposed to something when you work or let your kids in those situations.   My kid went to school for 2 years and 1st grade was pink eye drama all year.  :/  I also live in the upper midwest where cold/flu season is like 9 months of the year.  Heck, my kids have colds right now.  LOL. 

[Spryte]

Maybe this will help: http://www.cdc.gov/hand-foot-mouth/about/transmission.html

 

I'd be most worried about your DD, as rocking to sleep would be close personal contact.

 

That poor baby, and mama. :( It's a miserable illness. And I think the mama did the very best she could - she didn't know till she saw the doc, and she let you all know right away. That was kind.

 

I hope none of you get it, whatever you decide.

[zoobie]

I would go unless someone is symptomatic. You won't be in bodily-fluid transmitting situations with other elementary aged kids. It spreads through preschools and daycares more quickly because the kids mouth everything and aren't the most hygienic. Your kids won't be sharing chew toys or rocking classmates to sleep. ;)

[Janeway]

I wouldn't worry about it. You can't skip coop every time you go out in public. And if you have been in public, grocery store, park, Target, etc, you have been exposed to someone with something.

[christusg01]

I'd still go unless someone came up with some symptoms.

[TechWife]

Please don't go. I caught hand foot and mouth disease from my son. It's a miserable experience. At this point you can't keep your family from getting it, but you can try to keep it from spreading. 

[TechWife]

I wouldn't worry about it. You can't skip coop every time you go out in public. And if you have been in public, grocery store, park, Target, etc, you have been exposed to someone with something.

 

This isn't just going out in public though and possibly being exposed to something. They know they were exposed to a highly contagious disease. 

 

OP, please call the church and ask them to sanitize the nursery.