$Unique_ID{PAR00090}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Medical Advice:  Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease}
$Subtitle{}
$Author{
Editors of Consumer Guide
Chasnoff, Ira J}
$Subject{Hand Foot Mouth Disease Blisters sores fingers hands toes feet Fever
acetaminophen soreness antihistamines itching contagious illness Coxsackie
virus viruses mouth-to-mouth feces contaminated foods food contamination
canker cankers tongue cheeks lips throat viral illnesses dehydrated
Dehydration}
$Log{}

Your Child:  A Medical Guide


Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease


     Quick Reference

     SYMPTOMS
     - Blisters and sores inside the mouth and on the fingers, hands, toes,
       and feet
     - Fever

     HOME CARE
     - Give acetaminophen for fever or soreness of the mouth.
     - Do not give the child foods that will sting the mouth, such as citrus
       juices, ginger ale, and heavily spiced foods.
     - Consult the doctor before giving nonprescription antihistamines to
       relieve itching.

     PRECAUTIONS
     - Keep the child away from babies, in whom this disease can be dangerous.
     - If your infant contracts hand, foot, and mouth disease, call the
       doctor.
     - Children may become dehydrated if they refuse liquids because of mouth
       pain.


     Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a common contagious illness caused by
the Coxsackie viruses.  The disease is common during warm weather.  It is
transmitted by mouth-to-mouth contact with someone who has the disease or by
eating something that has been contaminated with feces.  Symptoms of the
disease may appear within three to five days after exposure to the virus.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

     The disease is easily identified.  Blisters and sores (resembling canker
sores) appear inside the mouth, on the tongue, and inside the cheeks, lips,
and throat.  Small clear blisters (one-sixteenth to one-eighth inch in
diameter) appear on the fingers, hands, toes, and feet.  The child will
generally have a low fever (about 101 degrees_F).  The illness lasts three to
seven days.  Other types of Coxsackie viral illnesses in the family or among
your child's friends are another clue to the disease.

HOME CARE

     Give the child acetaminophen for fever and soreness of the mouth.  Avoid
giving the child foods that sting the mouth, such as citrus juices, ginger
ale, and spices.  Popsicles are soothing and a good source of fluids.  Check
with your doctor before giving the child nonprescription antihistamines for
the itchiness of the blisters.

PRECAUTIONS

  -  Occasionally this disease can be dangerous for young infants.  Isolate
     babies from older children who are ill with this disease.
  -  If your infant contracts this disease, call your doctor.
  -  Children occasionally become dehydrated if they refuse all fluids because
     of the pain in the mouth.

MEDICAL TREATMENT

     Your doctor will rule out other possible causes.  In rare cases, a
seriously ill infant may need to be hospitalized.

RELATED TOPICS:  Dehydration; Rashes; Viral infections