Is This HFMD?

While clearing those dry up mucus from Yvette’s nose, Yvette shouted out: “Ouch painful!”

Not a single open wound on that area, I started to examine.

And I saw this! I got a shock of my life!!!

Is this HFMD? The first thing that come into my mind.

I started to examine Yvette all over her body to look for more symptoms (listed here).

• Fever –  No fever
• Sore throat – I used a torch light and asked Yvette open her mouth
• Ulcers in the throat, mouth and tongue – Only one ulcer on her upper lip.
• Headache – Totally no sign of this.
• A rash with vesicles (small blisters, 3-7 mm) on hands, feet and diaper area. The vesicles are typically on the palm side of the hands the sole side of the feet and very characteristic in appearance. – Again no single spot on her hand, foot or even backside.
• Loss of appetite – Arrr… She got super good appetite because she is so happy to be at home.

With all my findings, I called D. (I also quickly login to the internet to check for more information about HFMD.)

I told him over the phone beside the only ulcers I found, there is NOT a single sign to confirm Yvette is suffering from HFMD!

He reminded me on last Sunday Yvette had a nasty fall and he did see a red mark on her upper lip. Having a very high threshold for pain, Yvette didn’t even complain and she only cried for less than 2 minutes after the fall.

D further pointed out to me, perhaps the fall (she fell flat onto her face from the stairs of the playground. There was some fall marks on her head and her nose which are now not obvious any more.) could have result a cut on upper lip by the teeth.

*Above pictures show the mark from the fall which is not obvious now.*

I guess this is the only reason for the ulcer we could have concluded on. But I wasn’t too comfortable. Could Yvette’s case an isolated case?

So today, I decided to keep Yvette home again and brought her to the doctor this morning. After talking to the doctor and having her examined by her doctor, it was confirmed by her doctor, it is not HFMD.

What a relief!

And most importantly, the ulcer is healing and I could see the “a piece of white tissue” growing on her lip.

Doctor Teo gave us Oracort E – for relief and to aid healing of oral ulcers and a letter to certify Yvette is fit for school.

I am glad D is always supportive over my decision on keeping Yvette home and bringing her to the doctor to have a peace of my mind. WE feel we always need to keep her safe and by doing that, we ensure the welfare of other children too.

Most likely I will bring Yvette to school and let her main teacher know about it.