So upset...please talk to me about coxsackie

Looks like Gregory has it. No fever but..
- Rash all over his body including his wrists
- a blister looking thing on his hand near the thumb
- slight rash on face
- daycare says they saw a sore in his mouth
- another child in the room that is shared has coxsackie


I called the ped and based on the above he says it's coxsackie but I want to bring him in tomorrow just to be sure that there is nothing more to this.

I want to cry and probably will soon. We have taken so many days off this month alone for things and it feels like we are the only ones that keep our kids home. And it's his first Christmas - now he'll spend it sick. I'm worried about Lucas and if he'll get it too...if he's already been in contact.

Minor things and nothing big in the grand scheme of things but I am dreading the call tomorrow that I won't be in (I am the only one in my department with kids) and I am sick over the fact that he is/will be in so much pain. I hate that it wasn't until tonight when I saw my baby that I was informed that another child has coxsackie. I hate that they obviously don't sterilize the room. I hate that I have to lose all these days from work yet pay them for NOT watching my son. I hate that I am so angry about this. I hate that I don't know what to do to make it better.


Any advice? Lucas never had this so it's all brand new and I feel like I am at a loss.

Re: So upset...please talk to me about coxsackie

DS had it and it was mild for him. He never appeared in pain or had a fever. Just sores on his hands and feet and the ped said she could see some in his mouth. Our ped. told us if he wasn't running a high fever we could go about our business and we did. I know you will get mixed reviews on that one.
I hope he gets better soon and Lucas doesn't get it.

Re: So upset...please talk to me about coxsackie

Posted by monkeybride


DS had it and it was mild for him. He never appeared in pain or had a fever. Just sores on his hands and feet and the ped said she could see some in his mouth. Our ped. told us if he wasn't running a high fever we could go about our business and we did. I know you will get mixed reviews on that one.
I hope he gets better soon and Lucas doesn't get it.

Re: So upset...please talk to me about coxsackie

i just responded on facebook.

i understand the utter frustration about daycare

hugs hugs hugs! i hope it is mild if it is in fact coxsackie and that he is able to enjoy his first christmas!

i too might have to call in tomorrow and im feeling sick about it. i HATE the backlash. what the heck are we supposed to do?

Re: So upset...please talk to me about coxsackie

First of all...

My Lucas has had coxsackie twice and DD has had it once. It suck$. And even if the kids aren't in too much pain, it suck$ that we have to keep them out of daycare for so long and we have to take off work for it.

When Lucas had it both times, he never had it really bad. First time he had sores in his mouth, none anywhere else. Second time he only had a fever.

DD had it several months ago and I had to keep her out of daycare for a week. I was told that they are still contagious if they have sores in their mouth and even though she was fine, she had 1 stupid sore in her mouth that would not go away. And yes, I realize that there are parents who would probably just send their DC back knowing there is a sore there, but I can't do that.... and it sounds like you and I are similar in that. So to you for being a good, caring mother who doesn't want to infect everyone else.

I remember that my ped said to give DC milk (maybe even a little mylanta) to coat the sores in the mouth so they feel better. Ice pops. Hopefully your little man gets better soon.

Right now DD has bronchiolitis so we are having fun with that. Probably from RSV... there was a child in her class who had it. It's like de ja vu since she had RSV and bronchiolitis just about a year ago when she was 2 weeks old. It just stinks.

I also just wanted to give you a quick insight to the other perspective too.... it is possible for kids to have coxsackie and never know it or show symptoms of it. So parents can send kids to daycare while they are contagious without even knowing it.

I'm sorry you have to deal with this so close to the holidays. Feel better soon to your little guy!

Re: So upset...please talk to me about coxsackie

How is he doing???
Two words...it sux!!!!!!
No really!!! Gillian had it once and every time she gets a fever I am like "f@)D me"!!! TBH its like the worst!!!
I can ONLY tell you about Gillian but she had sores in her mouth, down her throat and was screaming in pain! She was helpless. I would rather anything but that. She didnt have the rash though. Maybe his case is milder?
Just watch his temps. They ran high for her. My suggestion is for the next 2 days every 4 hrs tylenol every 6 hrs motrin (that may be reversed
ask your dr). I say this only bc it does hurt. Oh and be careful bc you can catch it too!!
I hope he feels better real soon!!!!

Re: So upset...please talk to me about coxsackie

Thanks Karin...I responded back. At the very least we can meet up online tomorrow and complain together. I hope that your call-in isn't too bad.



Amanda...thanks for all the advice. I have mylanta in the house so I am going to check out his mouth and if I see the sores I'll give him a little before he eats. Maybe try to keep his food and formula on the cooler side too.

I agree...I don't blame the family that was the first to have it in the room. I mean look at Gregory...we saw the rash today so that means that if he has coxsackie he had it yesterday and was at the center. I blame daycare...for not sterilizing the toys and not keeping the rooms clean. This child sits on the other side yet my kid got it...that annoys me. But it is what it is. He has it and I have to deal. I do hate being so angry over it though.

Re: So upset...please talk to me about coxsackie

I would be angry too. Hope his case is mild and everything works out

Re: So upset...please talk to me about coxsackie

DS didn't have coxsackie (that's probably the one thing that he didn't have this year) but, I hear you about calling in this month - DS has been sick with something the whole month.

Hope he feels better and can enjoy Christmas!

Re: So upset...please talk to me about coxsackie

Re: So upset...please talk to me about coxsackie

Re: So upset...please talk to me about coxsackie

sorry ang. must be totally frustrating.

Re: So upset...please talk to me about coxsackie

he will be okay by Christmas - once he's on medication, he should be okay within 48 or so hours....(that's how Em was).

when she had it - she LOVED ices...so we did some pedialyte pops...etc.

i'm so sorry about the daycare thing...

Re: So upset...please talk to me about coxsackie

Cox Sackie...I'm still scarred. Here's my brain dump on it.

High fevers
Drooly baby.
Give tylenol. Give motrin
If they're on bottles, warming the bottles will be painful if the blisters are in their mouth. Opt for cold things.
Ice pops are the best.
Keep them hydrated.
Very contagious.
Wash hands, wash hands, wash hands.

It's almost impossible to keep out of the daycare center because by the time you know about it, it's too late. Particularly with babies that grab toys & mouth things.

Re: So upset...please talk to me about coxsackie

Aww Ang no experience with coxsackie but I hope he feels better soon I swear it seems like everybody is sick right now, this house included.

Good luck with calling in tomorrow. It's hard being a working mom especially when you dont work with anyone who can relate. I got a hard time today at work for skipping my holiday party tonight... as if I'm going to go enjoy a cocktail while I have a sick baby at home. It's bad enough I had to be away from her all day I'll likely have to call in tomorrow too but it is what it is I guess

Re: So upset...please talk to me about coxsackie

Tyler had it when we got back from Savannah in August. He had a fever for a few days, and sores in his mouth. He was on Motrin/Tylenol for days. If he was uncomfortable he never really let on. He drank his bottles, and I don't even remember him not eating (nothing can stop that kid )

For 3.5 years I was so paranoid about Coxsackie with Jack, but it really wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

Praying that Gregory has a mild case and is over it soon!

Re: So upset...please talk to me about coxsackie

Honestly we had it over the summer here and it wasn't really too bad at all!!! DS had been a monster for 2 days, not eating, etc but no fever until day 3 and it was low grade at that. No sores, no rash, but I took him to the ped and got the dx for coxsackie so we stuck with tylenol/motrin staggered, and pedialyte pops. He wouldn't eat AT ALL for a few days but we kept him hydrated! By the time he was diagnosed the worst was over, I hope that's your outcome as well. It really is highly highly contagious so use that lysol spray everywhere and hopefully big bro will avoid getting it!

And honestly I know the work issue just SUCKS but we're not talking about a little sniffle here, baby is sick and needs mommy!!!

Re: So upset...please talk to me about coxsackie

Cai had it a few times... thats it. Just keep him hydrated by any means necessary - they get painful blisters on their throats which makes them not want to swallow. I always got Cailen to suck on frozen apple juice pops though... Good luck. Ity's hell, but goes through them quickly!!!

Re: So upset...please talk to me about coxsackie

DD had it and it wasn't fun. She was in a lot of pain. I was told I could give her a mixture of benadryl and tylenol----one tsp of each. also, you can dab a q-tip in mylanta and dab it on the sores in the mouth to help ease the pain. good luck...

Re: So upset...please talk to me about coxsackie

Thank you all so much Seriously, I feel so much better after reading all of the advice and tips. There is a level of support and experience here that can't be found even with the pediatrician. I feel a little less lost right now and that is a huge relief.

So...do I take him to the ped just to confirm? All the searches I have found on coxsackie mention meningitis as well and while I should know better than to search online and let that get to me...it has. What if I am not describing things accurately?

But on the other hand...I don't want to drive anyone crazy. The office will be packed with the holiday coming up. I don't want anyone to be near Gregory.

Re: So upset...please talk to me about coxsackie

I don't have any advice but just wanted to send you lots of hugs.

Re: So upset...please talk to me about coxsackie

a friend of mine has a son in daycare and she just got notification that chickenpox are going around in his classroom. not to make you more crazy but maybe it's that and not coxsackie.

Re: So upset...please talk to me about coxsackie

Posted by Ang-Rich

So...do I take him to the ped just to confirm? All the searches I have found on coxsackie mention meningitis as well and while I should know better than to search online and let that get to me...it has. What if I am not describing things accurately?

But on the other hand...I don't want to drive anyone crazy. The office will be packed with the holiday coming up. I don't want anyone to be near Gregory.

Re: So upset...please talk to me about coxsackie

Chelsea has had it twice Both times she had the blisters in her mouth/throat but nowhere else. She had a very high fever for about 3 days. It sucks because she was in a lot of pain. She ate a lot of ice pops and motrin.

She had it the second time when AJ was about 4 months old. He did not get it. We were very vigilant in hand washing.

You DS should be OK by Christmas!!!

Re: So upset...please talk to me about coxsackie

I would bring him but I would just want to really make sure I had the right diagnosis. Try to get one of the first appointments of the day if possible