A girl i work with has

[Scarlett316]

Hand foot & mouth! I have to say that i have read that it is very contagious and i'm a bit concerned now.

I know that the chances of complications are very small but i can't help but be a bit worried.

Does anyone have any experience with this or any advice?

 

[Brown eyes]

Hi there,

Hand foot and mouth disease is an infection caused by a virus called coxsackie. This illness is NOT the same as foot and mouth disease in animals. A fever is common, with blisters in the mouth and a red, raised rash on the hands and feet, which develop into small blisters. The symptoms are usually mild. There are no specific risks to pregnant women as there are with say measles, parvovirus or chickenpox. Try not to worry too much, we are in contact with people everyday that may be incubating different infectious diseases. Just imagine if you worked as a school teacher!
(I'm a nurse by the way working in public health and part of my role involves advising re infectious disease).

 

[jellybabynic]

My two boys had this at the start of the summer and i was only 6 or 7 weeks pregnant, the doctor said that i more that likely had it when i was little and it was nothing to worry about, my boys were fine after a few days, and im now 20 weeks pregnant and baby is fine too.

 

[kell]

I second what jellybabynic has said. Its nothing to worry about, my kids had this when i was about 10 weeks pregnant and the doc told me not to worry. You're more than likely immune to it already and if you do catch it its not like chicken pox/shingles. Try not to worry, just avoid skin contact if you prefer just incase x

 

[Reds05]

Hi there,

Hand foot and mouth disease is an infection caused by a virus called coxsackie. This illness is NOT the same as foot and mouth disease in animals. A fever is common, with blisters in the mouth and a red, raised rash on the hands and feet, which develop into small blisters. The symptoms are usually mild. There are no specific risks to pregnant women as there are with say measles, parvovirus or chickenpox. Try not to worry too much, we are in contact with people everyday that may be incubating different infectious diseases. Just imagine if you worked as a school teacher!
(I'm a nurse by the way working in public health and part of my role involves advising re infectious disease).

My sister is a primary teacher (has been for over 9 years) and she worked right to 8mths with both her pregnancies - the amount of infections flying about her school was incredible and both her kids were absolutely fine.

I'm sure at one point they had hand, foot and mouth going round and she was ok. She's also had chicken pox and scarlet fever at one point!! To be honest, she is probably at the same risk of catching something as a nurse is!!

 

[evewidow]

my youngest son had this yet my oldest nor any of us caught it i would have been only just preggers so i didnt know but all seems well with bubs

 

[Scarlett316]

Thanks very much everyone, i feel a bit better now x x