Well ds has it. We took him on Thursday a.m. and the doctor confirmed. I was a *little* miffed, the Dr. basically laughed and say, "Yeah, he's got it, there's nothing I can do about it, everyone's kid has it, don't worry about it". Well, I wasn't asking him to do anything about it, after doing my research I already knew that it was viral and he wasn't going to get meds, but for pete's sake, I'm not a doctor (and I don't play one on TV) I wanted him properly diagnosed. I compared the blisters on his hands/feet/bottom to ones I saw on the internet, you better believe I want a proper diagnosis! Sheesh!

Anyway, it doesn't seem to be bothering him in the least. In fact it's pretty cold out her now but he wanted to go outside so he's all bundled up in winter jacket, hat and mittens and is running around looking for worms!

Oh and you'll love this one, I really hesitated to call his teacher because the Dr. said to keep him home until the blisters were gone and then he's not contageous anymore. So I call his school and they acted like they had never heard of H/F/M which I thought odd. So she said, "Well, do you want us to tell his whole class about him having it?" (like the kids) and I'm like "Well, No, I thought maybe you'd tell the parents when they come to pick their kids up so they know to look out for it...I'm assuming he got it from someone in his class" and then she said, "Ok, so what do you want me to do..." and I said, "Well if you don't notify the parents then just forget it and move on, I won't send him until he is well...I'm only telling you because it's highly contageous".

It was a very odd conversation. I'm thinking somehow she heard the 'disease' part and thought he was going to be handicapped or something that's why she asked me if I wanted her to tell the whole class about it. Since their policy is not to tell the parents (grrr) I'm just keeping my mouth shut next time. Sheesh, you think you are being responsible and it blows up at you. *Sigh* At least he's better. Just thought I'd update!

Marcus was diagnosed with it over the summer - funny part was that he had little contact with other kids since he was not in school. He could have picked it up in the grocery store, playground... He did not have ANY blisters anywhere. I would never have guessed it was H/F/M.

Don't get upset because you did the right thing. I would have wanted the Dx and I would have told the school too. I tell the mom's of his playgroup if he is running a fever or the baby has a runny nose. This way it gives me a clear conscience and it gives them the choice if they want their child exposed.

Your son sounds like Marcus - nothing will keep him down. Even when he is running a 103 temp he still acts normal.

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PLEASE go to http://mommysavers.com/boards/mommys...ncer-walk.html to learn about preventative measures for all women - cancer does not discriminate!

Man, was this a new person at school or something? HFM is ALWAYS reported to the parents of the kids in a class at our DC and at school. Did you talk to the teacher, or someone at a higher level? Maybe she didn't understand the phone call? IDK - that sounds VERY weird to me.

I'm glad your ds is feeling better.

It's odd that they don't tell the parents that a virus is going around. I would think it would be helpful to the parents to know that there's an illness traveling through the school and what symptoms to look for.

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When the sun came up this morning I took the time to watch it rise,
as its beauty struck the darkness from the skies.
I thought how small and unimportant all my troubles seem to be,
and how lucky another day belongs to me. ~ Jerry Reed

That is odd that the school didn't want to notify the other parents. Anytime we have an outbreak of HFM in the children's wing at church (or any other highly contagious illness for that matter) parents are usually notified. After my older son got it (from someone in the church nursery) they put informational fliers out for parent's to take. It had information from the CDC website and everything. We had a child come down with HFM during VBS at our church this year and they disinfected every place the child had been the day before AND handed out letters and information to parents as they dropped off their kids. In my opinion, it's just common courtesy to notify parents if their child has been exposed to something contagious (regardless of whether or not it's a "serious" disease).

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Stephanie
Mom to: Caleb (8-27-2003), Ian (9-28-2005), & Baby Boy #3 (EDD 11-9-2008)

It is in our preschool and public school rules that ANY contagious disease be reported to the teacher who will then let all parents know (without naming names!). I am shocked that yours wasn't the same!! As a parent who's child doesn't have it, I would want to know what to look for, if nothing else! I always let them know when mine even has the sniffles, just for that reason alone. Plus, this lets them know to watch for my child getting worse, acting funny, etc. I've never had one to get HFM, but I do know it has gone through our preschool twice in the last year. Hope your little guy continues to feel so good...and that those blisters go away soon!

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Shaking in my boots (well, if I was wearing them in the middle of summer!), but glad to be back!

Glad he's feeling better, or at least not showing signs of feeling yucky!! Interesting converstion with the teacher, I must say. For what it's worth, is there a school nurse? I would tell the nurse as soon as your kids are diagnosed with anything, and let her follow the school protocol for notifying parents, hopefully with some helpful, informative and preventive information. Just a thought.

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~Jenn~