Hi Jaye,
Coxsackie virus (hand, foot and mouth) is self limiting but can be very painful in children.  Lesions usually appear a few days after a prodrome of fever, runny nose, loss of appetite, etc on the palms, soles and pharynx.  It is contagious during this period, most commonly from the oral secretions or contact with blisters but the virus may be found in the stool for several weeks after infection.
Adults can be immune if they were previously exposed but there are different strains of the virus so there is no guarantee.  However, the illness is adults is generally mild.
I personally nursed a miserable 18 month old (who nursed so much that his stools actually went back to the yellow curdy newborn stuff) through the disease many years ago and none of us (his 2 old brothers, myself or dad) contracted it.
Annie Brown, FNP, iBCLC
Greenwich CT


On Sep 14, 2011, at 7:08 AM, LACTNET automatic digest system wrote:

> Hi Jaye,
> 
> From what I have read mom has already been exposed via baby but most adults are immune as they are exposed to it during childhood. She may or may not get lesions on her nipples. I did a search on  Lactnet archives and found good info.
> 
> One suggestions was to make breast milk popsicles to soothe the babs mouth. I have had a few moms/babs with this virus and they continued to breastfeed.
> 
> Be well,
> Star Siegfried RN,BA, IBCLC
> 
>> 
>> Date:    Tue, 13 Sep 2011 15:30:27 -0700
>> From:    "Jaye Simpson, IBCLC" <[log in to unmask]>
>> Subject: Hand foot and mouth
>> 
>> Hi All,
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> I got a call from a mom of a 14 mo old nursling who had contracted Hand,
>> Foot and mouth virus (Coxsackie).  I am trying to find out if mom is at risk
>> for getting the virus as well as the lesions on her breast/nipple/areola.
>> Baby is miserable, and mom is now too because baby is nursing strangely due
>> to the sores all over her tongue.  I have been unable to find
>> anything.either I am not looking correctly or it just isn't out there.  Have
>> talked to a few people but no one seems to know anything more than me.so
>> here I am, again, asking for input.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Thank you in advance!
>> 
>> Warmly,
>> 
>> Jaye


             ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome