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Studying HFMD

This week we've been intimately studying Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease.  We've learned firsthand what it feels like, how long it lasts, it's symptoms, and how to cope with it.  We even took a field trip to the pediatrician's office to find out more about our study.  Little Buddy has experienced the fevers, the mouth sores, and sleepless nights that often accompany the disease.

Did you know... (adapted from the CDC website)

  • Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease is not related to Foot and Mouth Disease (aka Hoof and Mouth).  HFMD can only be caught by humans and FMD is only for animals.
  • It is mainly a childhood disease.
  • It can be recognized by mouth sores and rashes on the child's hands and feet.  (Little Buddy had a mild case so he didn't have a rash).
  • It begins with a fever and poor appetite.
  • The disease has no specific treatment. It just needs to run it's course. (We gave Little Buddy Children's Tylenol for his pain).
  • It lasts approximately 7-10 days.
  • It is spread from person to person via nose and throat excretions and one is contagious for the first week or so.
  • It's like chicken pox that once you get HFMD, you then have immunity.  However, there are different strains of it, so it is possible to contract a different strain.
Get better soon Little Buddy!


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