bella
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 1871 total posts
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can someone explain coxsackie?
I see so many posts on it or it mentioned. My DS is just about 6 months old, not in daycare but going to a party that is going to have kiddie pools and a water slide he was going to go on with his daddy....should I not let him go, he's not in daycare.....ughhhhh, so many things to worry about!
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cjik
Welcome 2010!
Member since 2/06 8879 total posts
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Re: can someone explain coxsackie?
You know, I never heard of coxsackie until recently, so I can't tell you too much about it. I believe it's a virus that you get from saliva or fecal matter.
If you are really worried, skip the water slide--DC will not realize what he's missing, and I don't think I'd take a baby that age on a big slide anyway! But if you think it's going to be a fun day, I would go and hope for the best.
I do take DS to the public pool in town--he doesn't do much but paddle around a little. So far, so good. He's not in daycare either.
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Stacey1403
Where it all began....
Member since 5/05 24065 total posts
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Re: can someone explain coxsackie?
Kiddie pools are one of the worst carriers of the coxsackie virus.
But if no one has the virus then you are safe. Here is some info:
Coxsackieviruses are part of the enterovirus family of viruses (which also includes polioviruses and hepatitis A virus) that live in the human digestive tract. They can spread from person to person, usually on unwashed hands and surfaces contaminated by feces, where they can live for several days.
In most cases, coxsackieviruses cause mild flu-like symptoms and go away without treatment. But in some cases, they can lead to more serious infections.
Signs and Symptoms
Coxsackievirus can produce a wide variety of symptoms. About half of all kids infected with coxsackievirus have no symptoms. Others suddenly develop high fever, headache, and muscle aches, and some also develop a sore throat, abdominal discomfort, or nausea. A child with a coxsackievirus infection may simply feel hot but have no other symptoms. In most kids, the fever lasts about 3 days, then disappears.
Hand, foot, and mouth disease, a type of coxsackievirus syndrome, causes painful red blisters in the throat and on the tongue, gums, hard palate, inside of the cheeks, and the palms of hands and soles of the feet. (This one is what most children get)
Contagiousness
Coxsackieviruses are very contagious. They can be passed from person to person on unwashed hands and surfaces contaminated by feces. They can also be spread through droplets of fluid sprayed into the air when someone sneezes or coughs.
When an outbreak affects a community, risk for coxsackievirus infection is highest among infants and children younger than 5. The virus spreads easily in group settings like schools, child-care centers, or summer camps. People who are infected with a coxsackievirus are most contagious the first week they're sick.
Prevention
There is no vaccine to prevent coxsackievirus infection. Hand washing is the best protection. Remind everyone in your family to wash their hands frequently, particularly after using the toilet (especially those in public places), after changing a diaper, before meals, and before preparing food. Shared toys in child-care centers should be routinely cleaned with a disinfectant because the virus can live on these objects for days.
Kids who are sick with a coxsackievirus infection should be kept out of school or child care for a few days to avoid spreading the infection.
The duration of an infection varies widely. For coxsackie fever without other symptoms, a child's temperature may return to normal within 24 hours, although the average fever lasts 3 to 4 days. Hand, foot, and mouth disease usually lasts for 2 or 3 days, while viral meningitis can take 3 to 7 days to clear up.
Treating Coxsackievirus Infections
Depending on the type of infection and symptoms, the doctor may prescribe medications to make your child feel more comfortable. However, because antibiotics only work against bacteria, they can't be used to fight a coxsackievirus infection.
Acetaminophen may be given to relieve any minor aches and pains. If the fever lasts for more than 24 hours or if your child has any symptoms of a more serious coxsackievirus infection, call your doctor.
Most children with a simple coxsackievirus infection recover completely after a few days without needing any treatment. A child who has a fever without any other symptoms should rest in bed or play quietly indoors. Offer plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
HTH
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