HAND, FOOT & MOUTH DISEASE

General Information

DEFINITION--A common infectious, viral infection that begins in the throat.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED--Throat; tonsils; skin; gastrointestinal tract; central nervous system.

SEX OR AGE MOST AFFECTED--Infants and young children (2 weeks to 3 years).

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Sudden fever.
• Sore throat with blisters and ulcers in the mouth and throat lining.
• Headache.
• Rash with blisters on the hands, feet and groin.
• Appetite loss.
• Abdominal pain (sometimes).

CAUSES--Infection from the coxsackievirus A-16, which is transmitted from person to person.

RISK INCREASES WITH--Summer and fall seasons.

HOW TO PREVENT--Prevent exposure of infants and young children to anyone with a respiratory illness.

What To Expect

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES--

• Your own observation of symptoms.
• Medical history and physical exam by a doctor.

APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE

• Home care.
• Doctor's treatment.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS--None expected.

PROBABLE OUTCOME--Spontaneous recovery in 4 to 5 days .

How To Treat

GENERAL MEASURES--

• The disorder has a mild course and the child can be cared for at home.
• Dip a cotton applicator in 2% hydrogen peroxide and apply to the blisters in the mouth.
• Rinse the mouth with salt water (1/2 teaspoon salt to 1 cup water) after eating, if the child is old enough to rinse without swallowing.
• Boil eating utensils and other items that touch the mouth or saliva--or use disposable utensils--to avoid transmitting the disease.
• Boil bottle nipples separately for 20 minutes before sterilizing formula in the bottles.

MEDICATION--To reduce high fever, you may use non-prescription drugs such as acetaminophen. Do not use aspirin. Antibiotics are not effective against this disease.

ACTIVITY--Keep the child in bed until fever and other symptoms disappear. Normal activities may be resumed gradually.

DIET--Encourage the child to increase fluid intake, including milk, liquid gelatin, ice cream, custard or drinks made with syrup of wild cherry (available from your druggist). If drinking is painful, older children may use a straw.

Call Your Doctor If

• Your child has symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease.
• Symptoms worsen or do not improve.