Friday evening, after VBS, Ruth did not sleep well. We figured it was a combination on being overly tired from the busy week and finally getting her canines in. I rocked her, and gave her some meds, and she seemed fine from them on. During the day, she was more clingy than normal - but nothing out of the ordinary for a teething child, right? That's what we thought.
Monday afternoon, though, a rash appeared on her face. I figured it was an allergic reaction to the snack we had before naps - the snack she thoroughly enjoyed and smeared all over herself. But Tuesday afternoon, when it got worse, I finally started putting pieces together... Wednesday morning I called the doctor and the nurse diagnosed Ruth over the phone. Hand Foot & Mouth Disease. Yippee. There's nothing that can be done, its a virus that lasts 7-10 days and just has to go thru her system. The catch is, it's highly contagious! And you're contagious before you ever have symptoms (hence it spreads like wildfire).
So I'll bet you can guess what happened Wednesday.... a little boy got sick. Just as is typical with HFM, 2 days later (Friday) his rash appeared. But he has it worse. Thankfully both children avoided the dreaded mouth sores that often accompany the virus. Sooo thankful of that!
Faith also has bumps on her - mostly on her knees and a few on her toes. She never had a fever. Never complained of not feeling well. So we don't quite know what to make of that. The kids have "well check" doctors appointment this week. I plan to ask. I hope Faith just got a very mild version of the virus. She does usually tend to get much milder versions of other bugs going through our family. Maybe she was just blessed with a super-duper immune system??
I'm thankful everyone is on the mend and feeling well now. And that it should be long gone by the time Nathan has his birthday party this weekend!
Anyways, I've been requested to share photos for those who have no idea what HFMD looks like. I never heard about it until I was pregnant with Nathan. But since I haven't gotten it yet, I can assume I had it or was exposed earlier in my life?? The incubation period is 3-7 days from exposure. So I think Jacob & I are in the clear since we haven't gotten it yet. The same can't be said for some less-lucky parents of kids who were in the same VBS class as Ruth... I hear it's pretty miserable for adults, too. Ick! Another reason to thank God that Jacob & I were somehow spared. This time.
What is HFMD? It starts with a fever & sore throat. Apparently this strain comes with nausea & vomiting, too. At least the kids at church who've subsequently come down with have all had it, too. Then 2 days later a rash appears - usually on your soles and palms. And around and in your mouth. But it can appear anywhere. Some bumps blister, too. I read that most kids don't feel the rash - it doesn't hurt, unless in their mouth. But for adults, the rash can be very painful and/or itchy. Nathan's has been itchy on his feet. For most people, the rash gets worse over 2-3 days and then begins to go away. The virus lasts 7-10 days total. But remains in a child saliva for weeks, and in their stool sometimes for months. No wonder daycares get hit hard when it comes! It really hasn't been too bad - the kids are troopers and tylenol is a blessing :)
Ruth's face on Tuesday evening. I took photos intending to show the doctor because I thought it was an allergic reaction.
Ruth's hands. They did get a little worse, but not too bad.
She never had any bumps on her palms.
Ruth had a lot of bumps on her legs and bottom.
It's really hard to tell in the photo, but her one leg was almost completely covered in slightly raised little bumps for about 12 hours.
Ruth did not have any bumps on the soles of her feet until the end of day 4, but they were mild.
Nathan, on the other hand, got it much worse on his feet. It looks painful! But he says it doesn't hurt. His one finger hurts, but he's only mentioned that once and an anti-itch/pain spray has helped. I didn't think to take any photos of Nathan's mouth until the bumps were almost gone. He had a dozen, just on the outline of his lips - not as many as Ruth had. Nathan's rash was more focused on his feet, soles, palm and hands, with a few on his knees. Thankfully, they're going away pretty quickly!
So we praise God night for healthy children and mild versions of this disease. And the nursery at church enjoyed a quiet weekend, because I think half the kids are home with HFMD. ha!
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