Hand, Foot and Mouth at 39 weeks-seriously?!

[ParisJeTadore]

So i thought my LO had the stomach flu last week but have since discovered that both he and my other ds have hand, foot, and mouth disease. I take care of my kids full time so trying to stay away from their germs is nearly impossible. That said, I honestly want to fall apart today. I noticed my throat was sore yesterday and as of this morning have blisters on one side and swelling. I am 39 weeks today and this totally freaks me out as I am waaaay too close to my due date for this kind of thing.

Has anyone had this before? Or been sick close to delivery?

 

[Nikko88]

Nooooooo!!!!! Hope it isn't too bad.

 

[LilacPetal]

Hello there,

I'm only 34 weeks but had the same thing happen to me! My 6 year old stepdaughter (lives with us full time) started running a fever and threw up the first day of school last week so I thought either some stomach bug or what I was really hoping is that she just got overheated during recess (lol, sure). Earlier that same day my sister (14 years old) had called me saying she had a terrible sore throat (I'm an RN and get many calls from family) and didn't know what to do about it - all of her symptoms sounded like Strep throat to me and also to the urgent care she went into later that day but the test came back negative for strep. So Monday they both had fevers, sore throat and nausea. Tuesday my stepdaughter was fine, no fever or anything. Wednesday evening my stepdaughter said her hands and feet were itchy so my husband gave her some cream. Thursday when I picked up my stepdaughter from school her teacher said she had red spots on her hands and wasn't sure what they were. My stepdaughter said the spots did not itch or hurt her so I wasn't sure what to think...BUT soon after that my mom called saying she was going back to urgent care with my sister who was breaking out in blisters on her hands and feet. That's when it dawned on me that it was hand, foot and mouth and then the urgent care confirmed that with their diagnosis for her. My 1 year old niece started her fever a week after my stepdaughter's had started and she lives with us right now so it's no wonder.

The cream my husband put on my stepdaughter's hands had baking soda in it. Her rash never got very blistery, it never itched or was sore for her and it just got better and better after day one. We started giving my niece oatmeal and baking soda baths twice a day as soon as she starting getting any sort of rash and the spots immediately disappeared. Every time we have given her the bath any sort of rash/spot/blister has disappeared and she is doing wonderfully. I had advised my sister to try oatmeal and baking soda the day she started her rash, she never did and she has suffered the most. My sister couldn't walk because her feet were so sore but she still never tried the bath/soak.

I really think the oatmeal and baking soda combo are amazing for this rash. Fortunately I haven't come down with any rash at this time, but if I do I will definitely being trying it as I don't think it will hurt!

As far as I have read it's not too worrisome a disease for pregnant ladies. I read that it may be passed to baby if they are delivered during the infection (I am assuming during the time of the infection when you are contagious) but I also wonder if the timing is right if you will just be able to pass the antibodies right along? Much hope that you feel better soon!!

LilacPetal

 

[ParisJeTadore]

Lilac Petal, thank you for the tips! How much oatmeal and baking soda did you use in the bath each day? So far I don't have any blisters anywhere but what you described in your stepdaughter sounds identical to symptoms in my two boys.

So far one side of my throat is swollen and filled with blisters (oh fun!), I am achy (like when you get the grip), and it seems like a mild fever is trying to take hold. The crazy thing is my son and I had hfmd last fall at the same time so this must be a different strain. Also, my cousin, her husband and a friend from work all came down with hfmd recently from their kids so it's definitely doing the rounds.

 

[LilacPetal]

Lilac Petal, thank you for the tips! How much oatmeal and baking soda did you use in the bath each day? So far I don't have any blisters anywhere but what you described in your stepdaughter sounds identical to symptoms in my two boys.

So far one side of my throat is swollen and filled with blisters (oh fun!), I am achy (like when you get the grip), and it seems like a mild fever is trying to take hold. The crazy thing is my son and I had hfmd last fall at the same time so this must be a different strain. Also, my cousin, her husband and a friend from work all came down with hfmd recently from their kids so it's definitely doing the rounds.

I would guess we're doing about 4 tablespoons of oatmeal and 4 tablespoons of baking soda per bathtub of water. If you are feeling up to it gargling with some baking soda water might be an option? Haha, the 1 year old occasionally drinks the bathwater before we can stop her.

That is awful to get it for a second time! A friend of mine couldn't make it to my baby shower a couple of weeks ago because they had it but before now I had never known anyone who had ever had it...unlucky year I guess. I pray it's not a foreshadowing of this winter and illness.

I hope it doesn't get any worse for you and you're feeling better soon!

LilacPetal

 

[ParisJeTadore]

This is how our "year of illness" began last fall so I really hope we aren't in for a repeat Ds starts nursery this fall and I am already dreading what he will bring home for us to share!

So no blisters as of today on my skin but loads inside my throat. I will definitely try the bath though if they form. Stay healthy!

 

[laila 44]

Have you called your OB? I would check in. My dd got HFM when I was 37 weeks pregnant. I didn't catch it ( most adults usually are immune) but my dr was worries as it stays in your system for months and lives in feces. I sent my my dd to my mil and thankfully newborn didn't catch it

 

[ParisJeTadore]

He already knows and doesn't seem concerned. Also, for most adults being immune I know of four other adults who have recently caught this so it can't be too uncommon.