My bf called me yesterday to tell me that her 1-year-old was diagnosed with this. Apparently, it has been going around at the day care. So, after the illness apparently ran its course, her pediatrician gave her a note for the day care, saying that it was safe to take the baby back.

When she tried to take the baby back, they refused because the Health Department says that the child had to be out for a longer period of time before it was safe to return.

So, her doc is saying one thing and the health department, another. I told her to get a second opinion. But I've never really had this happen to me...where two professionals don't agree. Either way, she is frustrated because the day care won't take her child back and guess what? Ofcourse she is still responsible for paying for the days the baby is out...as we all know, a hefty bill.

What's a mom to do?

Why would she have to pay for days that the baby is not attending?
I research EVERYTHING online....here is what I found at the Center for Disease Control's website:
HFMD outbreaks in child care facilities occur most often in the summer and fall months, and usually coincide with an increased number of cases in the community.

CDC has no specific recommendations regarding the exclusion of children with HFMD from child care programs, schools, or other group settings. Children are often excluded from group settings during the first few days of the illness, which may reduce the spread of infection, but will not completely interrupt it. Exclusion of ill persons may not prevent additional cases since the virus may be excreted for weeks after the symptoms have disappeared. Also, some persons excreting the virus, including most adults, may have no symptoms. Some benefit may be gained, however, by excluding children who have blisters in their mouths and drool or who have weeping lesions on their hands.

If an outbreak occurs in the child care setting:

* Make sure that all children and adults use good handwashing technique, especially after diaper changes.

* Thoroughly wash and disinfect contaminated items and surfaces using diluted solution of chlorine-containing bleach.

the daycare has the same expenses regardless of whether or not your child attends on any given day, therefore you are responsible to pay based on the days you committed to be there. sucks but it is reality.

Yeah, I know that routine. It sucks, but my last day care only charged us when our baby was there. That was really, really nice. We were never charged for sick days. Although, that rarely is the case.

Oh and bishop96, thanks for the info. I didn't really know that much about it. With my son being out of day care now, it is amazing how little he has been sick.