HFM disease outbreak at home...

One week had gone by... my time was totally occupied with taking care of little Sarah at this "sickly" moment. It was totally unexpected that our little ones got the hand, foot and mouth disease (HFDM) one after another. It started with Reanne, and later Ivan & Sarah. Not knowing what was the real cause of it, they all played with one another (as always) and being parents, we were not aware of the spreading virus which is in process... Reanne was only confirmed having that virus a day before Sarah's fever started.

Totally contagious I would say, even though the doctor might say that it is a "mild" one... Last Sunday when we went to church, Sarah was a lil more crankier than usual. She was just totally "manja" and wanted to be carried by me at all times. No other uncles and aunties can distract her away. She only wanted mummy to carry her. In the morning during the service, she was in the baby room with little Janson & Rachel. Little did I know, the virus was already there in Sarah (just not yet manifested out physically!). Both she and Janson accidentally "switched" water bottle, and exhange saliva too!

On Sunday evening, she started having fever, about 38+ degrees. We gave her some fever medicine hoping that her temperature would drop. Next day, the temperature remained high and by Monday evening, her temperature went up to 40 degrees! Some red spots were also seen on palms of her hands and soles of her feet. Her appetite dropped tremendously. We brought her to see the doctor and he confirmed that she was having HFMD. Her appetite dropped due to painful mouth sores. We sorta told the doctor about the switching water bottle incident at church on Sunday and all he said was, "Sure kena one!" meaning "The boy will surely get infected!" Oh boy... I quickly sms MJ and asked if Janson was alright and she said no fever, no problem! However, 2 days later, I got an sms from MJ that Janson had gotten the HFMD... :(

Today is Day 6 of HFMD for Sarah. No more fever and her appetite came back to normal. Her night sleep was not interrupted and she's also behaving quite her usual self now... unlike during the first 3-4 days when she wanted to be carried at all times and was "super manja" towards me. Knowing that she was in pain, of course I let her manja with me for awhile. After the 2nd day, my left arm was totally in pain and my legs were tired. Well, thank God that the tiring week has finally come to an end.

Ok... so that's the whole story about the totally infectious disease at home and in church... the kids need to be quarantined for awhile until they are totally cleared of this disease. Praying that all of them will recover quickly.

Just a short note for parents with kids with HFMD:

1. Keep child's body temperature low - give your child a cool bath. Your child will not like it but just do the NIKE! Keep the forehead and other body parts cool by putting cool and wet cloth over wherever that is hot, especially the forehead.

2. Your child needs to drink lots and lots of water - this is the key to quick recovery!

3. Wash your child's hands and mouth frequently with clean water.

4. Keep your child's toys clean always.