LO recently caught hand, foot and mouth at her little preschool (totally understandable: 15 toddlers share everything). It spread like wildfire, and all of the kiddos had (or still have it) over the holiday break.

We kept LO away from all kids from the moment she spiked a fever (knowing that it was likely HFM). We quarantined ourselves at home for a week, which means we spent Christmas at home alone, and cancelled our plans. And, even though it's been a week + 2 days since her fever, we still haven't done anything with other kids. We did go hiking and out to eat at the 1 week mark, but no direct contact.

BUT, I'm friends with a lot of the parents from her school, and noticed that many of them spent time with other kids over the weekend (playdates, museums, etc.). Most of them were like, "I just couldn't stay at home for another day!" ... WTF?!

I think there's a lack of knowledge (even with doctors) about how long HFM is contagious, and I find it frustrating.

Do you follow a general "only contagious for 24 hours after a fever" for all fevers, or do you take time to research each illness to determine when you go out?

*I do understand that sometimes you just don't know what your kiddo has (ear infection? teething? a virus like roseola, etc.?), but when you're nearly certain it's something like a stomach virus or HFM, I feel like it's your duty to keep your kid away from others.