Hand Foot Mouth Diease (5-13th Oct 2009)

I got a shock of my life when the paed announced that Kaden has contracted HFMD. It started on Monday when he had mild fever but he recovered from it very quickly the very next day after having only 2 doses of panadol syrup. On Tuesday night, when hubby was changing Kaden into pajamas….he saw all the ‘bubbles’ and rashes all over his nappy area. We were stunned. The first thing that came to our mind is if that is chickenpox but that certainly doesn’t look like chickenpox! Insect bites? FIL concluded that it was some insect bites after taking a look at his buttock. We started applying papaya cream at his affected area diligently and at the same time searching our brain for any possible reasons for the unidentified rashes. On Wednesday, MIL and FIL came up with another possible reason – fish, was it the fish that he had eaten was ‘poisonous’? I told MIL it was impossible bcos those were the fishes he had been eating all along, I did not introduce new fish species in his diet. On Thursday, realizing that we are unable to identify the problem source…we decided to bring him to see Uncle Anthony. So imagine the shock we got…especially since he has not even attended playgroup or childcare!

Not without doubt, Trenyce got it as well. Since they have been playing together all the while and we did not isolate them. Trenyce had mild fever on Wednesday morning and like Kaden, she recovered from it very quickly, also after taking only 2 doses of panadol syrup.

Luckily, little Kayleen did not contract the diease. We quarantined her in the room. The kids and their caretaker (MIL) are not supposed to enter the room where Kayleen is sleeping as that is her only roaming area. Trapped in her own room for a good 6 days before she could get close to her siblings. This is also when I truly realized the goodness of breastmilk. I believe it is the breastmilk she has consumed all along prevented her from getting the diease!

All in all, their HFMD were considered mild. Kaden, the carrier, had the most 'bubbles' appeared on his buttock, some on his mouth, hand and feet. No wonder he complained 'mouth pain pain' but we dissolve his complain thinking that its impossible for him to have mouth ulcers since he did not consume anything spicy or fried. Trenyce only had 2 littler red dots appeared on her feet, one red dot on each foot and also with mild mouth ulcers.

Really thank god that theirs was a mild case. I have seen worst from the MOH website. It certainly looks many times more scary.

Thank you Lord for all the blessings you have bestowed to the family little ones. Amen. Mood: Sad Milestone: 20 months old