Hand, foot, and mouth disease (cause by the coxsackie virus) is a viral infection that is most common in children under 5 years old, though anyone can get it. It is not considered a serious illness, but it is very contagious and tends to spread very quickly through schools and daycares. .
What should I look for if I think my child has HFMD?
Symptoms are usually worse the first few days and gradually improve. Most cases resolve completely in 1-2 weeks. Symptoms may include all or only a selection of the following:
- Fever
- Sores that may appear on fingers, palms of hands, soles of feet, inside mouth, and on the buttocks
- These may begin as flat red spots that begin to blister and become painful.
- Loss of appetite
- Pain in and around the mouth and back of throat may cause children to refuse to eat and drink, drool more than usual, and prefer cold liquids.
Treatment:
Because hand, foot, and mouth disease is a viral process, there is no medicine specifically to treat or cure the infection. The best course is to treat the symptoms, keep your child comfortable, and prevent dehydration.
- Avoid giving your child salty, spicy, or acidic foods. These will only irritate the sores in the mouth and cause more pain
- Offer a soft, bland diet. Soft breads, ice cream, popsicles, etc
- Push fluids to prevent dehydration. Your child may be hesitant to drink due to pain from swallowing. Offer cold fluids and popsicles to encourage your child to stay hydrated
- If your child is over 6 months old, you may also alternate Tylenol and Motrin (dosage per weight) to help with the pain and fever
Control the spread of hand foot, and mouth
- Cover mouths and noses when sneezing/coughing with a disposable tissue or arm sleeve if no tissue available
- Wash your hands after changing diapers
- Clean, rinse, and sanitize any toys that may have come in contact with your child’s saliva
- Prevent the sharing of food, drinks, and personal items that may touch your child’s mouth such as spoons/forks, toothbrushes, and towels
- Prevent contact from infected child and other children in the home. Try to prevent close contact such as kissing, hugging, etc. If the children share a room, separate them while contagious
- Disinfect regularly touched surfaces.
When can my child return to school or daycare?
- Your child should be fever free for 24 hours without the aid of fever reducers
- No new blisters developing and current blisters are “drying” up. (No open or draining blisters)
When should I contact my child’s pediatrician?
- You child is not drinking enough to stay hydrated
- Fever (100.4 F or greater) lasts greater than 3 days
- Symptoms do not improve after 10 days
- Your child has a weakened immune system or if symptoms are severe
- Your child is very young, especially younger than 6 months
https://www.cdc.gov/hand-foot-mouth/about/treatment.html
https://www.cdc.gov/hand-foot-mouth/about/signs-symptoms.html
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