What parents need to know about hand, foot and mouth disease
This disease is a mild infectious childhood illness caused by various viruses and most commonly by a strain of the Coxsackie virus group.
It is a very common disease and mainly affects infants and children under 10 years of age.
It gets its name from the blistering rash that is usually found on the hands, feet and mouth. It is quite contagious and can spread very quickly in daycare centers, but also schools. Among family members, if they have not already had it.
More rarely, it can occur in adolescents or even adults.
1. What are the symptoms of the disease?
The initial symptoms of the disease include fever, restlessness, anorexia, sore throat and runny nose. A day or two after the initial symptoms appear, a blistering rash appears on the hands, feet, or mouth.
2. How is it spread?
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is spread through direct contact with secretions from the nose and throat of an infected person. The virus can also be shed in the stool.
3. How long is the disease contagious?
The disease is most contagious in the first week, but it can remain contagious until the blistering rash disappears. Most cases are usually seen during the warmer months of spring and summer, but because the disease is highly contagious, it can occur at any time of the year.
4. How is hand, foot, and mouth disease treated?
There is no specific treatment, and most patients get better on their own within 7 to 10 days. However, there are ways to manage some of the symptoms. For example, it is best to avoid acidic foods and drinks, such as orange juice, because they can irritate the mouth sores.
Choose bland or cold foods and make sure your child is hydrated. Over-the-counter pain relievers can also help with particularly painful mouth sores.
Older patients can try gargling with salt water to help relieve some of the discomfort, but this is not recommended for infants, toddlers, or young children.
If your child’s fever does not subside after five days or if all symptoms do not improve after 10 days, you should see your pediatrician, especially if the symptoms are severe, if the child has a weak immune system, or if they appear dehydrated, as in severe cases they may need intensive supportive care in a hospital setting.
5. Can hand, foot, and mouth disease be prevented?
There are several things you can do to prevent or reduce the spread of hand, foot, and mouth disease, including:
- Wash your hands often, especially after changing diapers.
- Disinfect contaminated surfaces with water and bleach or cleaning wipes.
- Wash your child’s clothes, bedding, and anything else your child has touched.
- If your child gets sick, keep them home and do not send them to daycare, school, or any other group activity for the first few days they are sick to prevent transmission.
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