Poor Emily was down with Hand, Feet and Mouth decease the whole last week. Being a dutiful father, had to take a day off to take care of her (Ok…Ok..I admit, I was hoping that I can spend some bonding time with my PS3 when she is sleeping).  Unfortunately,Emily want me to bond with Mr.Coxsackie instead.

Now, having a toddler with HFM is a daunting task. Her throat was so painful with blisters on the first night, that she couldn’t sleep at all. Then the fever comes in and the spots begin to show on the fingers. For the first time, Emily actually says no to ice cream. So you can imagine how bad the darn bugger virus did to her. Giving her medicine was a reminiscent of the show  “The Gladiator”.

Yup, those tiny spots are actually blisters that makes poor Emily itch.

According to doctor, there are no medication to treat this darn virus. Medication given are meant to reduce throat inflammation, so she can eat and drink minus the pain. Paracetamol was given for the fever. None for Mr.Coxsackie. He is only in for a 4-7 days visit.

On the contrary, the ruddy virus Coxsackie also hits big sized adults like me. It can be spread through medium of saliva, phlegm, urine , feces, sneeze, and there is no way I can cast a protective shield over me (had been playing to much Final Fantasy 13 lately, casting protect and shield way to much) to avoid getting hit.  Yup, I finally got it yesterday!

The darn bugger really make my throat burn like mad. Couldn’t eat and had to rely on Mr.Fisherman’s friend to pass through 2 miserable night. The Chinese has a saying ” To counter poison, use poison”, so I ate “Hokkien mee” with additional spices. Yup, I was in agony for 12 hours straight!

See those spots? I got a dozen so more.

On the other hand, I am entitled to 4 days MC. Yippee!!! I can finally bond with my long abandoned love PS3. Not to mention I finally beat FF13.  It was when I finally slay the last Big Boss, I realized those buggers have finally got to my fingers and my pinky toe.

The red spots feel makes your hand feels like sand paper!

Mr. Pinky was not even spared.

So whats the best part of getting Mr.Coxsackie to visit me? Well for starters, the wife and kid have to avoid me like a plague and so is everyone else. Heck, I can be a germ-warfare terrorist for 3 whole days. So I get the whole house to myself for the next coming 2 days. Just me and my PS3. Plus, I dont have to work. Heck, I cant risk spreading to my dear students right?

If only, I can top it up with pizza, McD and cold beer. Nay, the darn buggers are still strangling my throat.

Big Papa