Hello!

My daughter has picked up two different strains of Hand Foot & Mouth Disease (HFM) at one of her daycare centres over a period of a month. I have managed to develop HFM from the second infection. Today is the fourth day that I have experienced symptoms – It started on day one with a sore throat, aches and pains. Day two saw the beginnings of blisters developing on my feet and hand and a couple of ulcers in my mouth. It’s now day four and my throat is still sore from my mouth ulcers.

I don’t consider this a very bad case of HFM and feel that I should be able to manage myself adequately at work by not touching/ infecting my colleagues but I’m wondering of I’m oversimplifying this. I don’t want to be irresponsible and spread it through my workplace but I only started with my employer in May 2015 and I’ve already taken 4 sick days because of HFM. I’m reluctant to take more sick leave when I don’t actually feel sick.

What are your thoughts?


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  • Of course not, it’s contagious


  • It’s horribly infectious. I don’t think you should go to work.


  • That must of been terrible for you,l would stay at home until recovered!


  • It’s not just about how you feel, but also about protecting others from going through what you’re going through. Your employer should understand that sickness and injury is not something you can foresee.


  • Yes unfortunately you may not feel sick but you still have the virus and can pass it on to others!


  • I would be going to the doctor and getting advise. As an employer I would prefer you not come to work if you could infect anyone else as it is impossible to be 100% sure you are not ‘sharing’


  • I know a guy who caught it. Everything he had touched had to be washed throughly/ sterilized, benchtops, tables, and other furniture was either sprayed with Glen 20 or similar or antil-bacterial wipes used. It took his wife several hours just to do the kitchen, dining, living areas, bathroom and toilet. He has as little physical contact with the little ones as possible – its a bit hard to make a 18 month old understand. He had to wear gloves and a mask over his mouth and nose at all times – not at all pleasant in hot weather. His employer was notified immediately – initially by phone, then the certificate posted. They also contacted the Health Dept. to find out what steps to take in the the sterilizing process. His clothes were washed and rinsed in anti-bacterial products. Basically everything he handled even with gloves on was washed separately as an extra precaution in case a glove had a hole in it that wasn’t noticed. We still have no idea exactly where he caught it.


  • yes steer clear from work until the blisters have stopped oozing and have dried out. they are highly contagious while they are weeping.


  • If you provide a medical certificate explaining you ill, you are safe.

    If you go to work, not only do you risk spreading it to others, but it could end in you taking more time off work in the end because you can become run down and take longer for this to clear up.

    You need to rest and follow the doctors orders.


  • I would stay home this spends fast an quick..


  • My sister had this…it is highly contaigious. Please don’t go to work where you could potential pass it on to others. If you are not sure, speak to your GP.
    This infection is spread by direct contact with fluid from the skin blisters, nose and throat discharges (including saliva, sputum or nasal mucus), droplets (sneezing, coughing) and faeces (stools). Good personal hygiene is important to prevent spread of the infection to others.


  • Stay at home and keep to yourself, you may not feel sick but you still have the virus and can pass it on to others


  • No don’t share it with your work mates .. stay home and recover


  • I don’t think I would be too happy if someone came to work with HFM so I would advise you to stay home


  • Talk to your gp about it, but I think it would be best not to.


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