HFMD Awareness: Our Experience and What Parents Should Know

I want to share our experience to help other parents stay aware. When I first heard that one of my daughter’s classmates had Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD), I immediately decided to keep her at home. I thought that would be enough to protect her. But after 7 days of exposure, she still got it. Thankfully, her case was mild. Good thing she has no fever and no sores in her mouth, which made it much easier for her to feel comfortable and stay hydrated.

That experience taught me TWO things:

❗️HFMD is highly contagious.

❗️As parents, we need to be extra careful, not just with school attendance, but also with sanitation at home.

What is HFMD? (Simple Terms)

HFMD is a viral infection common in young kids. It causes:

Rashes or small blisters on the hands, feet, and sometimes arms and legs
Mouth sores or singaw
Mild fever (not always present)
General discomfort and fussiness

It usually spreads through saliva, sneezing, coughing, and even surfaces touched by someone infected.

What Parents Should Do

✔ Keep your child at home if you hear about cases in school.

✔ Encourage handwashing, soap and water works best.

✔ Keep them hydrated with water, fresh juices, or soft fruits (like watermelon).

✔ Watch for early symptoms (rashes, mouth sores).

What NOT To Do❌❌

✘ Don’t send your child to school if they are sick,even if mild.

✘ Don’t share utensils, towels, or bedding.

✘ Don’t ignore small rashes; early care matters.

How I Sanitized Our Home

Here’s what I did to reduce the spread and protect the rest of the family:

✅ Used UV light to disinfect rooms and common areas
✅ Wiped surfaces daily with disinfectant sprays/wipes (tables, doorknobs, switches)
✅ Washed beddings, towels, and clothes separately
✅ Regular handwashing for everyone in the house
✅ Air purifier running to keep the air clean

Final Reminder to Parents

HFMD may sound mild, but it spreads fast. Even if your child seems okay, don’t risk sending them to school it only makes the cycle worse for everyone.

Staying vigilant, practicing good hygiene, and keeping our kids home when needed is the best way to protect not just our children, but also other families.

XOXO, Ness

HFMD Awareness: Our Experience and What Parents Should Know

HFMD Awareness: Our Experience and What Parents Should Know

How do you feel about this story?

That experience taught me TWO things:

❗️HFMD is highly contagious.

❗️As parents, we need to be extra careful, not just with school attendance, but also with sanitation at home.

What is HFMD? (Simple Terms)

HFMD is a viral infection common in young kids. It causes:

Rashes or small blisters on the hands, feet, and sometimes arms and legs

Mouth sores or singaw

Mild fever (not always present)

General discomfort and fussiness

It usually spreads through saliva, sneezing, coughing, and even surfaces touched by someone infected.

What Parents Should Do

✔ Keep your child at home if you hear about cases in school.

✔ Encourage handwashing, soap and water works best.

✔ Keep them hydrated with water, fresh juices, or soft fruits (like watermelon).

✔ Watch for early symptoms (rashes, mouth sores).

What NOT To Do❌❌

✘ Don’t send your child to school if they are sick,even if mild.

✘ Don’t share utensils, towels, or bedding.

✘ Don’t ignore small rashes; early care matters.

How I Sanitized Our Home

Here’s what I did to reduce the spread and protect the rest of the family:

✅ Used UV light to disinfect rooms and common areas

✅ Wiped surfaces daily with disinfectant sprays/wipes (tables, doorknobs, switches)

✅ Washed beddings, towels, and clothes separately

✅ Regular handwashing for everyone in the house

✅ Air purifier running to keep the air clean

Final Reminder to Parents

HFMD may sound mild, but it spreads fast. Even if your child seems okay, don’t risk sending them to school it only makes the cycle worse for everyone.

Staying vigilant, practicing good hygiene, and keeping our kids home when needed is the best way to protect not just our children, but also other families.

XOXO, Ness