Hand Foot and Mouth Disease

Andrew has had Hand Foot and Mouth Disease this week. He started complaining of his throat hurting on Saturday. He didn't want to eat much of his supper that evening, just wanted ice cream. Sunday morning he was still complaining of his throat hurting and wouldn't eat breakfast, so Chad stayed home from church with him. Sunday afternoon is when the rash started on his hands, wrists and feet. I looked in his mouth and saw the ulcer/blister like sores in this mouth. That is when we realized what he has.

I took this picture on Tuesday. Not sure you can even see the rash, it looked worse in person.

If you aren't familiar with Hand Foot and Mouth Disease, it is a viral infection that usually young children get. They often have a low grade fever, sores in their mouth and the rash on their hands and feet.

Andrew has missed preschool this week due to the HFM, and a field trip on Tuesday. Tuesday he told me "I wish I could be healthy everyday" as well as "I'm sick of being sick." He has had times when he is pretty miserable. Sunday and Monday his diet consisted of bites of yogurt, jello and ice cream.

Tuesday he started complaining of the back of his neck hurting and a headache. That evening I gave him some Ibuprofen before bed around 8. He went to sleep fine but woke up at 9. Well sort of woke up; he wasn't really awake yet not sleeping. He was rolling around saying "ouch", "my head" and holding his head. We did get him back to sleep around 10 but he was awake again at 11. He did this same rolling, moaning until 12:30. At one point he even said "I can't do this." During this time, Chad and I were a little concerned. A rare complication of HFM is viral meningitis. We were debating about taking him to the ER here or driving to Children's in Columbus. And do we all go? What should we do with Carson?

At 12:30 Andrew was quite, sound asleep. Which also made us worry! Should he be sleeping right now? Chad woke him up by calling his name several times and moving him a little. Andrew moaned "what." Chad asked him his brother's name, he replied rather irritated "Carson." He asked him his mommy's name, Andrew rolled over with loud sigh "Kristi!". So we decided he was ok. He slept the rest of the night.

He did have a headache Wed morning and I couldn't get him to eat anything, so that afternoon I took him to see a NP in the practice the boys go to. She thought he was ok. Just keep him hydrated and keep using Tylenol and Ibuprofen like we had. He only ate a couple of Vanilla Wafers and a few bites of Jell-o all day yesterday.

He did have a fever during the night but today is a brand new boy! Yeah!! It is loud and active in our house again. He is eating pretty normal again after I told him he was getting skinny! :) I didn't send him to preschool this afternoon since he had a fever last night but I think he should be able to go tomorrow.

The bad news is, Carson now has sores in his mouth and a little bit of rash on his wrists and bottom. Though it doesn't seem to be affecting him the same that it did Andrew. Carson hasn't had a fever and the rash isn't nearly as bad (maybe that is yet to come) and he isn't complaining about his mouth hurting and is still eating well. Perhaps he will have a milder case of HFM.

It's been kind of a long week. But the weather is beautiful!!! Can't wait to get out in it.