Another Sickie ? Help

[KDC]

So, I just received a text from a DCF for my 21 month old DCB. I sent him home on Friday for what they confirmed was hand foot mouth. They sent me a text on Mon. morning saying his rash was still bothering him, so they were keeping him home. Tues. they sent a text that he now has a miserable cold and they're keeping him. This morning, I get this text;

"DCB still has a bad cold. Overall his mood is pretty good though. He's going to stay with me most of the day, but I have a meeting today either at 11 or 1, which he can't be at. I'll drop him off for a couple hours today then come get him as soon as it's done. I'll keep you posted."

Then goes on to confirm it's at 11, she'll be here at 10:30 and it'll be 2 hours max.

I have such mixed feelings. She's trying to do the right thing and be with her son while he works past this cold, but has a meeting, right? But he has a bad enough cold that she NEEDS to stay with him most of the day, so why is she sending him to daycare?

WWYD? BTW, most of the kids here have colds of varying degrees, just not considered a 'bad' cold.

[MrsSteinel'sHouse]

I would take him and just keep him as separate as I could and wash my hands tons! I would place him somewhere to play for a few minutes like the high chair. So I could control what he touches. At my house 11 is lunch time and then nap. So it would be a good time frame for me to have him because he could be in the high chair and then down to sleep.

But, I am a softie. I have considered doing sick care because I can isolate at my house. I have had school agers that have come home "sick" until parents can pick up.

[cara041083]

I think I would let him come as well. I know some providers would stay firm on not coming, but if all the other kids have colds, then as long as hes is isolated It should be fine. Not to mention that if he was confirmed with hand foot and mouth, and has a cold, chances are that he has already exposed all the other kids before his symptoms even appeared. But that's just how I would handle it.

[Cradle2crayons]

Regardless of the cold or any diagnosis... There is only ONE question...

DOES THE CHILD HAVE ANY SYMPTOMS THAT EXCLUDE HIM

if the answer is yes, then I would exclude.


If the answer is no, then I'd let him come.


A cold is a cold is a cold... But I exclude for a fever over 100.5 as well as inability to participate in care as well as so much snot it can't be controlled.

[KDC]

Thanks! That was my gut feeling, just gets wonky on the sickness policy of when someone is sick enough to stay home vs. come. I'm like everyone and hate sickness in my house, especially before X-mas, but... I used to have a corporate job and know it isn't easy to take days off for cold related illnesses. It's 2 hours... I can handle it. She's doing what she can, and I understand.

[thetoddlerwhisper]

i had a similar situation today. but this mom had a friend who could watch him until 2. wanted him dropped off at 2 an then dcm will be here at 345. to be honest hes just sleeping not feeling hot. is on antibiotics and not eating. im letting her bring him in an he will probably lay and sleep until mom gets here

[KDC]

Update...

Well she showed up at 10 instead of 10:30 (only 1/2 hour, but I was doing crafts with the big kids, while baby was sleeping, and it kinda made it more stressful)

He came in, gave me a big hug and said "bye Mommy". Then immediately started crying, and never stopped. Not when I held him, not when I put him down, just miserable, boogers everywhere. No fever, but his hands were still itching from the Hand foot mouth. His hands, face & feet looked like the below picture and he was scratching them opening crying. She called to tell me her meeting got moved from 11 to 1-2. She asked about him, and I was honest and said he hadn't stopped crying and was itching his hands. She picked him up immediately and will probably miss her meeting. He probably was too sick to come, but she tried to make it work. I'm thinking no fever, but open sores, he was probably still contagious? I only had one other toddler today and kept them separate. Poor guy. I offered to nap him while she went to her meeting, but he doesn't nap well on a normal day, and she said he wasn't sleeping well at all.

[nanglgrl]

Are you sure that's HFM? I've had my son as well as 2 dck get it and it looked a little different than that, that looks a little more like chicken pox to me but of course I could be wrong. It's just the blisters are usually on the palms of the hands not the top of the hand and wrist. Also, HFM doesn't usually itch. If it is HFM it's most contagious before the sores develop but can be contagious for weeks through their mucas, saliva, blister fluid and feces.

[TwinKristi]

Looks like HFM to me and while they're scabbed up, if he's picking them that's not good. I'm glad she came to get him! Poor boy!

[Blackcat31]

Are you sure that's HFM? I've had my son as well as 2 dck get it and it looked a little different than that, that looks a little more like chicken pox to me but of course I could be wrong. It's just the blisters are usually on the palms of the hands not the top of the hand and wrist. Also, HFM doesn't usually itch. If it is HFM it's most contagious before the sores develop but can be contagious for weeks through their mucas, saliva, blister fluid and feces.

That's what I thought too when I saw the picture. I thought...Hmm, looks like chicken pox.

I've had cases of HFM here too but the spots were confined to the palms of the hands, soles of the feet and inside and around the mouth area.

I know they can probably occur anywhere but I've never seen ones that look like the photo OP posted. Although I am sure it is different for every case.

Here is the BING image search showing sores

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=hand+foot+and+mouth&qpvt=hand+foot+and+mouth&FORM=IGRE

Either way, poor little guy. I think OP is right. Mom tried to make it work and it didn't. It is what it is.

[KDC]

They took him to the Dr. when he first had the fever and they said HFM. The blisters were around his mouth and feet as well as his hands. There has been a lot of Hand Foot Mouth going around and it's a strong virus, although I've never seen blisters such as these either and I've seen my fair share of HFM. Poor Babes. I hope he gets well soon, I hate seeing him so miserable.