Hand Foot and Mouth

Last Monday, Mila was not feeling very well.  She had a slight fever in the evening.  I gave her Tylenol before bedtime and the fever was gone by morning.  But oh what did greet me in the morning!  She had tiny little bumps covering her hands, feet and mouth!  I had heard that someone at Mila's school had the hand foot and mouth disease.  After a little research I discovered that it was going around, sweeping through the city from preschool to preschool.

I immediately thought of Niko.  Shit!  Mila is very affectionate with Niko… touching, kissing, hugging.  Niko doesn't have much of an immune system.  A cold or fever can lead to pneumonia or death.  I emailed their doctor right away.  He said that we shouldn't worry.  This disease usually doesn't affect infants under one year nor adults.  You don't really treat the virus.  It just plays itself out in about 5 to 7 days.  By the time the fever fades and the bumps show, the kid is no longer contagious. To play it safe, I kept them apart and Mila spent the night at my mom's.  But to my horror, Niko developed the little bumps all over her hands, feet and a couple under her mouth.  One day later some of Mila's bumps turned into big blisters!

And to make matters worst, I had a fever Wednesday night and then I developed the bumps on my hands and feet two days later.

So far, from my experience when the doctors say that we have nothing to worry about, it means it's time to worry like hell.

By the way, if you're curious what the hand foot and mouth disease feels like, it feels like there are thousands of needles pricking you at once, going in and out all day long.  And your shoes feel like they're 2 sizes too small and everything chafes.  I tried to ignore it because I've got other things to worry about.  However I could barely put weight on my burning feet.  We are all better now.

I'm constantly surprised by how incredibly strong children are.  The pain that they go through is so humbling.  When they feel pain, like teething or all the disgusting viruses they are plagued with from school, you just kiss them and tell them to go to sleep.  This is the first time I've shared an illness with Mila and it's shocking how well she handled this.  She just shook it off.  Niko as well.  She seemed to have hardly noticed at all.  Mila's earned some gummy coca cola bottles.  And Niko, well more boob.