Entire family contracts hand, foot, and mouth disease but insists they still attend Thanksgiving dinner, host says no: ‘They're still contagious’

Author image for Lana DeGaetano
Lana DeGaetano • "Show me to me please."
Nov 26, 2025 4:00 PM EST

It's that time of the year. We're all coming down with the flu or the common cold, so it's essential that we bring a trusty hand sanitizer and a pack of tissues everywhere we go. If you're as sick as a dog, do everyone a favor and get some rest in the confines of your home. Nobody likes being sick!

Other illnesses and diseases aren't a sign of the seasons. Instead, they spring up out of nowhere, catching young children and healthy adults off guard in the process. Certain diseases, such as hand, foot, and mouth disease, are a result of specific viruses and how they manifest in our bodies. HFMD occurs most commonly in young children, which is why it's no surprise that the child under two years old contracts it in the next story.

As a result, though, the child's parents also contract the disease because it is highly contagious. This family, despite their contagion, insists that they attend the family Thanksgiving dinner. The host of the celebration has four children of her own, so she puts her foot down and says no. Now, her mother is treating her coldly. She should host the dinner then! Scroll to read.

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  • 01
    little two year old child at home sick
    via Getty Images For Unsplash+

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02

    "Sick family wants to have Thanksgiving at my house and I said no"

    So my nephew was diagnosed with hand foot and mouth about week and a half to two weeks ago.
    via UnholyLuna94
  • 03
    We also found out the other day that my sister and her husband have recently contracted it from their son.
    via UnholyLuna94
  • 04
    I should add they live with my parent's. But because they also have HFM, it was decides that Thanksgiving would be moved to my house but they said they wouldn't come..
    via UnholyLuna94
  • 05
    Well my mom just called me today to inform me that my sister, her husband and their son will be joining us at my house.
    via UnholyLuna94
  • 06
    I told my mom that I did not want them in my house because they're still contagiousat this point.
    via UnholyLuna94
  • 07
    I have four children one of which gets sick easily and the last time it was in my house my 3 okder kids were out of school for weeks.
    via UnholyLuna94
  • 08
    They all reacted badly and had blisters as well as severely peeling skin that bled. My mom then said that they will be gloved up and sitting at a table separate from everyone else, however their son will have free roam of my home.
    via UnholyLuna94
  • 09
    He's under two and there for gets into stuff and still puts things in his mouth.
    via UnholyLuna94
  • 10
    I told them if they were so set on coming to my house for Thanksgiving why couldn't have it at their house.
    via UnholyLuna94
  • 11
    My mom said "because then they would have to sanitize everything." I said it was unfair that they weren't willing to sanitize their house to make it to where people could come over but they wanted to come to my house and infect my household.
    via UnholyLuna94
  • 12
    a woman in a striped shirt cleaning with gloves and a rag
    via Kateryna Hliznitsova For Unsplash+

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 13
    My mom then started to cry said she wouldn't have this conversation with me and hung up.
    via UnholyLuna94
  • 14
    So am I the asshole for telling my mom that they're being selfish and I don't want them in my house?
    via UnholyLuna94
  • 15
    ETA: I wanted to add this since a couple people have been asking why is it even a question, why would I allow anyone from that household into my home.
    via UnholyLuna94
  • 16
    They are providing 100% of the Thanksgiving meal. Also my husband and I are in some legal trouble that my parents are giving us a gift that will help us relieve that situation.
    via UnholyLuna94
  • 17
    However my family is the type that if I tell my mom no to anything even if it is the reasonable answer she will renege on her promises and take the gift back.
    via UnholyLuna94
  • 18
    That's why I'm considering allowing my mom and my dad to still come over for Thanksgiving.
    via UnholyLuna94
  • 19
    But I put my foot down with my sister and her family. If I wasn't so reliant on their help I would 100% just cancel the entire holiday, we also can't reschedule due to this being 100% on my parents.
    via UnholyLuna94
  • 20
    The only thing I have say in is my home Update: Talked to my dad and sister.
    via UnholyLuna94
  • 21
    THEY ARE NOT COMING OVER. My sister got defensive but my dad put his foot down on my behalf.
    via UnholyLuna94
  • 22
    He's also going to talk with my mom and calm everything down. Thanksgiving will happen some other day when people aren't contagious.
    via UnholyLuna94
  • 23
    Flounderkind8267 I guarantee you they will not attempt a single good practice at preventing the spread of disease. They're just saying that to get what they want. Tell them to have their own diseased holiday this year NTA
    via FlounderKind8267
  • 24
    UnholyLuna94 They don't have good practices about cleaning in general. I make it a point if my kids are sick they stay home. Whereas they find every excuse to send him to school. My kids had a cold and I sanitized my house top to bottom. Their kid has a cold and they ask me to watch him. They don't care about others
    via UnholyLuna94
  • 25
    Slimkidd2024 NTA NTA NTA Op stand your ground
    via Slimkidd2024
  • 26
    TOOnarmy1 NTA, hell no this is ridiculous. "My kids health is more importnat than anyone's feelings. We will not be hosting thanksgiving this year, and given all the sickness in the family, we will not be going anywhere either. This is for the health of my family and to keep us from
    via T00narmy1
  • 27
    being sick over the holidays. We will be happy to celebrate with you guys in a a few weeks, or combine it with Christmas, but we will not be taking ANY chance of anyone in my household getting sick right before the holidays. While I understand
    via T00narmy1
  • 28
    that this might be upsetting, my kids. come first and it's literally just one day. We will not be seeing family this year for thanksgiving due to the risk of infection, and our decision is final."
    via T00narmy1

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