Sharing Our Experience On HFMD

A call from the childcare centre (2008)                                 

My son was having slight fever in school. His teacher suspected he has HFMD as she saw red dots in his mouth. I was worried as I have no idea how to handle HFMD. I called my husband and applied for urgent leave with my boss.

 

Confirmed Case of HFMD

My son added to one case of MCYS’s monitoring number for 2008. The doctor gave only fever medicine. I was shocked that there was no medicine for HFMD. As a worried mother, I asked the doctor a lot of questions to handle HFMD and what to expect at home.

 

Actions taken with advices from doctor and my sisters in law

1)      We arranged for my mother to help look after my girl. We needed to separate our children.

2)      Sterilise all his toys.

3)      Washed all mattress and pillow covers with warm water.

4)      Sanitize the whole house with Dettol disinfectant spray.  (Our favourite brand during this period was Dettol)

 

HFMD Effects

My son’s fever lasted only for a day. But, mouth ulcer and blisters (palms and feet) followed. He was crying and refusing milk and porridge. We were extremely worried when he refused water. We had no choice but to buy his favourite, strawberry ice cream and chrysanthemum. The cold ice cream and drinks help to soothe his pain. He started to take milk when we fed him slowly with spoon. We also cooked very watery porridge for him.

When things was better, my girl and I were infected with HFMD. With the 1^st few days experience, we were better to take care of my girl. As for me, the symptoms were milder than my children. I had only a few small mouth ulcers and blisters on my hand.

It was a good two weeks before we recovered. We stayed at home until we were fully recovered and consulted the doctor before sending our older boy back to the child care centre and me to return to work.

 

HFMD Again

My son and girl contracted HFMD again from child care centre in 2009.  This time, their symptoms were milder, lesser ulcers and blisters.  There was no challenge in getting them to eat and drink.

We hope our experience can help parents handle HFMD.  It is important to be there for the children and shower them with lots of love, care and patience.