HFMD

I happen to scroll down my facebook newsfeed and found out a few weeks back that one of my mutual friends', (I really could not recall who..sorry about that), kids were infected with HFMD.

Being a mother of two, (which includes an active 16 months old boy), I was easily distracted by their constant climbing and quarrelling that I didn't get a chance to reply or even thought much about it, up till now that Reena is diagnosed with HFMD by the paediatrician.

I recalled that there were a few ladies who were asking for tips on how to eliminate the virus and help the kids get better.

I have dealt with HFMD so frequently that the standard operating procedure is still fresh in my prefrontal cortex.

Being a preschool teacher in Singapore might be of an advantage sometimes (we are definitely NOT talking about our paychecks.)

I will be sharing some very basic tips on how to STOP the cycle of HFMD in the comfort of your home.

Step 1 : Sterilise ALL their milk/water bottles.

Step 2 : Use WARM water mixed with 1 part of disinfectant solution (my personal favourite is dettol), insert that in a plastic wash basin.

  Step 3 : Insert a towel into the respected plastic wash basin. Mix the solution together.

Step 4 : Wipe the toy container/box before hand, then wipe EVERY toy/hard cover books that your child owns.

Alternatively : If you have MORE toys than mine (I keep it to a minimal number because I do not have much space in my room in my parent's place. My house will ONLY be ready next year). Use a laundry net. You can get it from daiso ($2!), dump all the toys in. Dump it in a water trough filled with WARM water mixed with disinfectant solution or anything that is big enough to accommodate to the size of the laundry net filled with toys.

                             Water Trough

                             Laundry Net

Step 5 :  For those opting to use the water trough, you will need to dry the toys out in the sun. Do NOT dry it out with your clothes that you hang out on the bamboo pole, if you are living in a high rise apartment. (That kind of behaviour deserves a high five on the face).

Alternatively, (if this is inconvenient for you, which I personally find it is, for HDB/condominium owners). Take a huge towel, leave it on the floor in your house, dry the toys there for about an hour. 

Step 6 : Wash ALL stuffed toys in the washing machine. Then dry it in the dryer. 

Step 7 : Use febreeze to spray onto carpets,rugs, couch or any fabric surfaces.

Step 8 : Use a disinfectant spray (personal favourite is dettol, again.) to spray on any toy/object that the child with HFMD has touched. This is to prevent the spread of HFMD to another sibling and also to entirely stop the cycle. 

Step 9 : Finish all prescribed medicine given by the paediatrician/general practitioner. 

Step 10 : WASH the child with HFMD's hands often. Sanitise/wash YOUR hands after you have played/touched the child with HFMD before handling another sibling. 

Step 11 : Ensure that the child with HFMD drinks plenty of fluid. In this case, plain water. Their ulcers are very painful, (get a flash light and look into their throat.) they might not be comfortable in eating hard solids. Try giving them porridge for the time being. 

Step 12 : You know the drill, keep them indoors for 1-2 weeks. Separate them from their sibling, (or no close contact like kissing, sharing food/water bottle). Do not be alarmed if the school calls in to tell you that the sibling of the the child with HFMD is also not allowed to attend school. (Singapore IS a kiasu place after all.) 

And that is it. 

I hope your child gets better after following these simple steps.

 If you find this hard, imagine cleaning an entire school (the toys, the surfaces, regular health checks on children and handling parents who "complain" that we are not doing anything to keep the centre clean.) Sighs....