Mum’s warning over spread of disease as toddler hospitalised
HAND, FOOT AND MOUTH ‘SPREADING LIKE WILDFIRE’ SAYS WORRIED PARENT
A WORRIED Hull mum has warned parents to look out for the symptoms of hand, foot and mouth after her toddler daughter was hospitalised with the illness.
Beth East said her poorly 18-month-old daughter has gone through the “worst couple of weeks of her life” after catching the viral infection – possibly at a soft play centre.
The disease is sweeping the country, with Ms East saying it is spreading among Hull children “like wildfire”.
The mum wants to warn other parents what to look out for, saying the first signs of the disease include a high temperature, loss of appetite, a cough and sore throat.
She said: “My daughter Maddie started to be a little offish back on October 11, she was pale and red around the eyes and had a sniffle.
“I thought this was your every day viral coming on. By the following Tuesday night I heard my daughter cry, I went into her room and she started to projectile vomit about six times within half an hour.
“Her temperature was up and down, which Calpol seemed to help with, and she was very clingy and upset.
“By the next day I noticed a small area of red raised skin along her finger. I thought this may have been part of her teething as she had been putting her fingers in her mouth more then usual – but now I know it’s because she was getting a sore mouth.
“By 4.30pm a couple of spots showed up on her hand and we called 111 as she had gone off her food and drink. They said to go straight to children’s A&E.
“Within half an hour of leaving home and getting to hospital the spots had spread and got so sore. She had a high temperature and was crying like she was in pain.
“We got seen to by the nurse quickly, who said it didn’t look like chickenpox. We then had to wait an hour and a half to see the doctor.
“We told him how long she had been poorly for and he looked at the rash/spots and said ‘that’s hand, foot and mouth, it is a viral’.”
The doctor prescribed medication to help make Maddie feel more at ease with the itching, and Ms East also gave her Calpol and ibuprofen.
The mum is urging other parents to keep their children at home if they catch it, because it is so contagious.
She said: “I have kept my daughter in our home, since as it spreads so easily. I don’t wish to help spread this as it’s horrible to see your child so ill and there’s not much you can do.
“So if your child has it, please keep your child at home if possible.
“The only place I can think she may have caught it is at a soft play area we went to as that’s the only place I had taken her the day before she was vomiting.
“I have seen so many cases all over my Facebook, it’s spreading like wildfire.”
Families are now being advised on spotting the symptoms and how to prevent the infection from spreading.
A paediatric nurse practitioner said: “Hand, foot and mouth is a common viral infection in children under ten, which is usually mild and clears up on its own within a week to ten days.
“The symptoms can include a temperature over 38C, loss of appetite, a cough and a sore throat and mouth. After a few days red spots will develop on the tongue and inside the mouth, which can turn into painful ulcers.
“You may also notice a red, raised spotty rash on the skin and blisters on the hands and feet, which may be itchy or uncomfortable.”
To help prevent the spread ensure you wash your hands and disinfect contaminated surfaces. Avoid allowing your child to share dummies and cups and wash clothing and bedding regularly.
As it is caused by a virus there is no cure and antibiotics will not help. It should clear on its own.