Coxsackie Virus and Babysitting

My kids just had it and I asked my pediatrician how long they were contagious for and she said until their fever is gone. Hopefully, the fever will clear up before the weekend.

Contagious!!!! Don't ever expose knowingly your children let alone your baby to diseases as you are asking for lots of trouble, pain, accidents can happen when you're up all night, not to mention the number of children and animals is enough for 3 adults not 1 who is showing signs of burnout.
I realize 7/13/10 was weeks ago but for anyone considering anything similar to this, i thought i would
make known my feeling about this loaded keg of dynamite!!!

ALSO~ EVERYONE PLEASE KNOW THAT SOME DR.'S SAY THAT A CHILD IS NO LONGER CONTAGIOUS AFTER THEIR FEVER BREAKS!!! THIS IS NOT TRUE! AS LONG AS THE BLISTERS ARE PRESENT IN THE MOUTH, OR ON THE BODY, THE VIRUS IS STILL PRESENT AND CONTAGIOUS.
THAT IS WHY THERE ARE SO MANY BREAKOUTS OF THIS VIRUS, PARENTS DO NOT KEEP THEIR CHILDREN HOME UNTIL ALL THE BLISTERS ARE HEALED AND NOT WEEPING OR DRAINING.
ALSO THE SALIVA FROM THROAT BLISTERS IS ONE OF THE MAIN WAYS THE VIRUS SPREADS. SO EVEN IF THE FEVER IS GONE BUT THE BLISTERED THROAT IS JUST COMING OUT, THE CHILD IS HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS. ALSO THE FECES WILL CARRY THE VIRUS FOR WEEKS AFTER THE BLISTERS ARE GONE SO BEWARE ! AND WEAR GLOVES AND LOTS OF WASHING OF HANDS, & SURFACES AND TOYS ETC.
I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO RECOMMEND QUANTUM HERBAL PRODUCTS : COLD & FLU REMEDY TINCTURE ( OK FOR LITTLE ONES AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO TAKE IT WITH FOOD!) AND THEIR SUPER IMMUNITY TINTURE. THESE PRODUCT ARE UNBELIEVABLY POTENT FOR KEEPING ILLNESS AT BAY IF YOU TAKE THEM AT THE BEGINNING OF AN ILLNESS YOU WILL BE FINE WITHIN 6 HOURS.
WISHING YOU ALL A HEALTHY YEAR,

ENJOY EVERY MINUTE,
E.

Hope it all worked out and you stayed home and relaxed!!

E.

Updated

I think it's really sweet of you to take on all those kids and dogs for your sister and her husband! What an incredible sister you must be--- this is no small favor.
I do have to say, though, that this virus SUCKS. And it is contagious for two weeks or more, and even after there is no fever. My son got it because a careless parent at his preschool let her child go to school even though the child had noticeable sores.... This upset me very very much- especially when I was dealing with a two year old with so many sores in his mouth he didn't even want to drink milk and a high fever for several days of around 103.
There is a chance your child won't get the sickness or won't get it as badly- but do you really want to push it? Cousins play SO closely together--- there are very few physical limits.... I wouldn't push it. You said that you have two children and it seems that you aren't worried about your other child getting the virus. It is a misconception that if a child has had it before they can't get it again--- there are different strains of the virus that circulate at different times so it is possible for your older child to get it as well.

I would just be honest with your sister. Tell her you would love to re-attempt this weekend away when ALL 7 kids are healthy. I know she has a house rental already but they are parents---- this is what we do as parents. Our kids get sick and we have to cancel our plans, call in sick to work, make sacrifices. Sometimes it sucks but it's part of being a parent.

Ask your sister what she would want to do in the reverse situation. If one of your kids was sick with something this week (say, chickenpox or something), would she want to risk all five of her children being sick for the next week? Is it that worth it to her to get away?

I think you are a sweetheart for even considering it. I think you might be upset with yourself if you have to watch your daughter be sick and in pain, though. Just my two cents.

btw. it's not only kid that can get this virus either, although it is rare for adults to pick it up. When my son had it, though, my husband caught it. He was terribly ill for a week and had to call in sick to work for the first time since I've known him (6 years). That lets me know he was in ALOT of pain.

Call your pediatrician and see what they say.

You are sweet (and a saint). Coxsackie is NOT fun. The child is very uncomfortable and just wants (and needs) to be comforted. Also, in my opinion, a child needs his/her mommy when sick.
Just my two cents,
R.

Oh, that's a bad situation to be in. Let's face it, everyone is susceptible to it. Including YOU. My daughter got it from daycare and I got it too (I thought I was going to die - high fever, painful blisters, etc.)!! I would stay as far away from it as possible, however, I know that you can't.

So, disinfect everything and everyone often. WASH HANDS OFTEN. Chances are that once his fever breaks, he will not be as miserable. But the others may get it and haven't shown it yet.

So call your pediatrician, get his blessing and then go! And bring some children's and adult's Motrin just in case :)

awww that is a tricky situation. I would deff. call your childs dr. and see what they think. my DD just had this though and I would say it was awful for her! just awful! she had a very very high fever 105.7 was physically red, super tired and just a plain mess. It was a very rough week for us. she then of course passed it to her playmates in my mom's group and they got it too as it is VERY contagous......however they got it as a mild case so it was not too bad for them. My dr. told me that adults dont really catch it and if we do it is just like strept for us but kids can get it in diff. forms and also more than once bc there are diff. strands!!! oh yeah it is most contagous right before you even know that you have it, which is why it is so hard to keep to yourself, and it is contagous until the spots are gone (esp. the ones in their mouth). good luck if you have any more questions just email me.

A.,

You didn't mention how old your baby is. I'm guessing not a newborn, else you wouldn't be still considering the situation.

I think *you* can get the virus. It's not an inevitable thing, either.

Either way you can plan this:
No, you won't sit.

Yes, you will sit but leave your kids at home (DH hopefully understands?)
Yes, you will sit and bring your kids. Not sure how old both babies are.
Yes, you will sit part of the time and have your kids with someone else who understands, then trade off with another family member.

Simplify everything. Plan the unboxed meals ahead - have stuff pre-made. Paper plates, etc. except for babies. Maybe a lasagna, maybe a roast chicken, etc. Establish a couple of rules for the older kids, but keep them minimal. Plan a couple of simple activities for after lunch for the older ones, especially if there is a naptime involved.

It is do-able. Infection is not inevitable, but probable.

One minute at a time.

Two days. Seven kids. Not impossible.

Ideas:

have the kids time you on diaper change. ; ) see how fast you can clean up baby and have them ready to go play!

Circle time - have the older kids watch and see the babies play! Playmat? playstation? Who needs a hug?

See which ones can help the younger ones put on socks/shoes and be ready for music time (just get some silly songs from the library).

Plan a game or two between meals. By the time you finish eating and the kids finish eating and the babies are finished being fed, the older ones may be bored.

Remember you are not there ENTIRELY for entertainment! Make a game of cleaning up! Separate tubs for wash/rinse for the kids might make cleanup a bit easier on you and more fun for them! A towel underneath and another handy make clean up instant!

Drop a load of laundry for your sister! SEe who can fold the most and put the clothes away! (caveat: make sure clothes are DRY = my DMom occasionally puts my clothes/linens away DAMP and they stink after a week or two!)

Sweep the floors! They don't have to be perfect - they may have more fun swishing the dirt around than anything else. Mop the floors! Give the kids 2 pr old socks and have them run simply water on the kitchen floor and wipe up any messes - it's like SKATING! : )

There's so much more you can DO. You're going to put yourself on standby and just BE MOM to 7. It's not impossible.

Make a small kit for yourself, too. Your water bottle, kid-proof bottle of your favorite headache relief, sachet (steal one from your drawers!), and maybe a notebook to keep a few notes in - in case you decide to do this again for your sis.

The virus, if it occurs, will happen AFTER the visit. Keep your response simple and effective. Fever, blisters, seclusion, etc. It lasts x days and then you are hopefully home free if there are no complications.

Good luck!
M.

You would be exposing BOTH your children. Coxsackie is not a virus that ONLY babies get. How old is your second child? The virus is still contagious. By the weekend, I would suggest that its still not clear, plus the other kids might have it or be getting it to, so really its a very contagious time all around. Coxsackie virus was the WORST when my son had it as a baby. The blisters are PAINFUL. I couldn't put my son down at all for a week when he had it. He cried terribly. Couldn't eat or sleep. Was just so sick! Not something I'd want to willingly expose him to. Its not like catching a cold! As YOUR pediatrician what they think but If it were me I'd change plans as 'difficult' as that might be.

when my son had coxsackie, he was so ill, he was comatose on the couch for days. I can't believe your sister would even want to leave him like that. I would never even consider leaving my ill child with someone else for the weekend. I definitely would avoid her house for atleast a couple of weeks. It went thru our house like wildfire and was NOT FUN.
Lynsey