Justin and Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

During the fourth week of our "flu fest", and as the boys were recovering, the boys' kindergarten informed all parents on 17 April 2012 regarding cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) amongst the children. The centre would be closed for the rest of the week.

On 20 April 2012, the day Justin last saw the doctor for his cough, he had fever and had one or two small white dots on the inside of his left cheek. We asked for the doctor's opinion but it was difficult to confirm HFMD due to the lack of tell-tale signs on his hands and feet. Moreover, he was active and still eating reasonably well. One other thing he fussed over was a small oval mosquito bite-looking patch on his right elbow.

On the morning of 21 April 2012, we suspected something was not right when Justin complained of pain in the mouth after taking a few sips of his morning milk. Later that morning, we saw ulcers on his tongue. In the afternoon, the doctor confirmed HFMD. She saw spots on the back of his mouth, the mosquito bite-looking patch on this elbow had a cluster of small blisters, and his knees and left elbow had small red pimple-looking dots. So far, his palms and feet did not have any blisters. Treatment was symptomatic: mouth spray/cream for the mouth ulcers, antibiotic cream for the blisters, and fever medication.

He has since been feeling irritable and clingy, frequently wanting to drink water, and has difficulty eating or drinking anything else despite using the mouth spray.

We are now thinking of ways to prevent the kids from getting too close to one another. We hope and pray for a speedy end to our month of madness.


[Blisters on Justin's elbow]