HFMD Correction

According to the CDC, I was misinformed.  I was told you are only contagious just prior to eruptions forming, but it seems that isn't the case.  Here's how Hand Foot and Mouth Disease is transmitted according to the CDC:  (For the full article, click here)

How Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Is Spread

• Infection is spread from person to person by direct contact with infectious virus. Infectious virus is found in the nose and throat secretions, saliva, blister fluid, and stool of infected persons. The virus is most often spread by persons with unwashed, virus-contaminated hands and by contact with virus-contaminated surfaces.

• Infected persons are most contagious during the first week of the illness.

• The viruses that cause HFMD can remain in the body for weeks after a patient's symptoms have gone away. This means that the infected person can still pass the infection to other people even though he/she appears well. Also, some persons who are infected and excreting the virus, including most adults, may have no symptoms.

So what am I supposed to do?  Quarantine my family for weeks?  Keep them away from other people while they are symptomatic, and then hope for the best?  This is so frustrating.