Does My Child Have Hand-Foot-And-Mouth Disease?
Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is a common illness seen among young children that causes a rash that appears on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, legs, arms and diaper area. Small blisters also occur in the mouth, usually at the back of the throat.
Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is contagious and is caused by an enterovirus spread through the feces-to-mouth route (which can happen when a child forgets to wash up after using the toilet; it can also spread by children mouthing toys that an infected child has mouthed or handled). Hand-foot-and-mouth tends to run through play groups and day care centers, striking susceptible children
The most common viruses that cause hand-foot-and-mouth include:
- Coxsackievirus A16
- Enterovirus A71.
Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is often spread because of not washing hands properly, particularly after changing diapers or using the bathroom. Proper handwashing is key to help prevent the spread of these viruses.
How Is Hand-Foot-And-Mouth Disease Spread?
The viruses that cause hand, foot, and mouth disease spread through contact with nose, throat or blister fluids, bowel movements, touching contaminated surfaces or breathing air after a sick child coughs or sneezes.
Your child will be the most contagious during the first week of illness.
What Are The Symptoms Of Hand-Foot-And-Mouth Disease In A Child?
Symptoms of hand-food-and-mouth disease can occur a bit differently in each child. They can include:
- Blisters in the mouth, usually near the throat and tonsils
- Small blisters on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet, or both
- Small blisters in the diaper area
- Rash on the arms and legs
- Fever
- Lack of appetite
- Generally not feeling well
Mouth sores can take up to a week to heal. Located on the tongue, the inside of the cheeks, and the back of the throat, they look like canker sores and are painful. As a result, some children refuse to drink and may become dehydrated.
Symptoms of hand-foot-and-mouth disease may last up to a week.
The symptoms of hand-foot-and-mouth disease are usually unique. But they can be like other health conditions. Make sure your child sees his or her doctor or healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
Which Children Are At Risk For Hand-Foot-And-Mouth Disease?
Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is very common in young children, particularly those under 5 years of age. Older children and adults also can get hand-foot-and-mouth disease.
How Is Hand-Foot-And-Mouth Disease Diagnosed In A Child?
Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is diagnosed through a physical exam, including looking at the rash. The rash is unique to hand-foot-and-mouth disease and may be enough to diagnose your child.
Additionally, your child may have a throat culture or stool sample sent to a lab for testing.
How Is Hand-Foot-And-Mouth Disease Treated In A Child?
Because hand-foot-and-mouth disease is caused by a virus, antibiotics are not used to treat this illness.
Instead, the goal of treatment is to help manage symptoms. Treatment will depend on your child's symptoms, age, general health and severity of symptoms. Home treatment may include:
- Giving your child plenty of fluids
- Giving fever reducers and pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Don't give ibuprofen to a child younger than 6 months old, unless your healthcare provider tells you to. Don't give aspirin to children, as it can cause a serious health condition called Reye syndrome.
Keep your child at home until he or she is well.
When Should I Call The Pediatrician?
Call your child's pediatrician if your child shows signs of dehydration, including a dry, tacky mouth, tearless crying, or urinating less than usual. You should also call if the fever lasts more than three days or if your child appears to be getting worse. You should also call your pediatrician immediately if you see greyish-red blisters any place other than your child's buttocks, palms, the soles of his feet, or between his toes or fingers. A rash anywhere else means that hand-foot-and-mouth disease is probably not the cause, although another virus could be.
Enteroviruses can cause other illnesses as well, including viral meningitis; it's not as serious as bacterial meningitis, but can make your child feel quite ill. Call for an emergency appointment if your child has a stiff neck, headache, or stays drowsy after sleep and seems foggy and confused.
Rashes that look like bruises or broken blood vessels, or appear purple in any way, can be a sign of a more serious condition like meningitis. A simple way to tell the difference is to press on the spot; if it doesn't blanch or go away with pressure, it's not part of hand-foot-and-mouth disease and your child needs to be seen right away. Call for an emergency appointment if you detect a rash fitting this description.
How Can I Help Prevent Hand-Foot-And-Mouth Disease In My Child?
Good handwashing is important to stop the disease from being spread to other children. To help prevent the spread of the illness to others:
- Wash your hands before and after caring for your child. Use soap and warm water and scrub for at least 20 seconds. Rinse well and air dry or use a clean towel.
- Make sure your child washes his or her hands often.
- Make sure your childcare center encourages handwashing.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
Also make sure to:
- Clean contaminated surfaces, like toys, light switches and doorknobs, with a disinfectant.
- Stay away from infected people. An infected person can still transmit viruses for 1 to 2 weeks after he or she no longer has symptoms.
There is no vaccine available to prevent hand-foot-and-mouth disease.
Get Connected To Care Now
Franciscan Health offers a variety of care options. If you have urgent healthcare needs, find the right fit now.
- Connect to a Virtual Urgent Care visit with a few quick clicks.
- Find an Urgent Care location and use "On My Way" to hold your spot for a shorter wait time.
- Find an Emergency Room.
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