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If someone in your household has hand, foot, and mouth disease, it's crucial to maintain regular hand hygiene.
Jupiterimages/Polka Dot/ThinkstockPrior to 1995, parents in the U.S. occasionally organized "chickenpox gatherings." A child suffering from the itchy rash would be encouraged to interact with healthy children, aiming to build immunity through exposure to the virus.
Although we now have vaccines to protect children from chickenpox, there are numerous other infections that predominantly affect younger individuals.
Croup, known for its characteristic barking cough, typically affects toddlers around the age of 2. Impetigo, a bacterial skin infection that spreads easily, is most common in children aged 2 to 6. Similarly, hand, foot, and mouth disease, a viral condition, primarily impacts children under 5 years old.
When you tell someone without a medical background that your child has hand, foot, and mouth disease, it’s almost certain they’ll respond with, "Wait, isn’t that something you get from pigs?" Let us clarify: hoof-and-mouth disease is entirely different, though the similar names (sometimes even called foot-and-mouth disease) can cause confusion. (The names were coined by very literal individuals.) The viruses responsible are not the same.
In the U.S., hand, foot, and mouth disease is typically caused by a coxsackievirus (with coxsackievirus A16 being the most common), and outbreaks often occur during summer and fall. In East and Southeast Asia, enterovirus 71 can also cause the disease, sometimes with more severe consequences; for instance, Vietnam reported 153 deaths from January 1 to November 15, 2011 [source: World Health Organization]. Fortunately, most cases of the illness are mild, as we’ll explore further.
Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease Symptoms
Diagnostic tests are rarely needed for hand, foot, and mouth disease since its symptoms are so easily recognizable.
Hand, foot, and mouth disease typically takes around three days to manifest. A child might experience fever, headaches, or a sore throat, accompanied by lethargy or irritability. The telltale signs confirming the condition are a skin rash and painful mouth sores.
In a child displaying all symptoms, you’ll observe red spots on the palms, soles, and possibly on the knees, elbows, or buttocks (though naming it hand, foot, mouth, and rear-end disease would be too lengthy). Inside the mouth, you’ll find blister-like sores filled with fluid, which can develop into painful ulcers. (A similar condition, herpangina, features blisters closer to the back of the mouth and lacks the skin rash [source: Perlstein].)
Swallowing can become so painful that children may refuse fluids, increasing the risk of dehydration. Warning signs include reduced urination, dark urine, a dry tongue, or sunken eyes, which necessitate a visit to the doctor. In severe cases, intravenous fluids may be required.
Although rare, hand, foot, and mouth disease can lead to severe complications such as viral meningitis or encephalitis. Trust your instincts and consult a doctor if symptoms worsen, especially if accompanied by a high fever and intense headache.
Some individuals, particularly adults, may not exhibit any symptoms at all, which is concerning given the virus’s high contagiousness, especially during the first week. This underscores the importance of prevention, which we’ll delve into on the following page.
There have been instances where children with hand, foot, and mouth disease reportedly lost their nails. However, it remains unclear whether the nail loss is directly linked to the disease.
Hand Foot and Mouth Disease Treatment
The good news about hand, foot, and mouth disease is that it typically resolves on its own within a week.
While waiting for recovery, there are several steps you can take to ease the discomfort for yourself or a loved one:
- Consider using over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen. (Important: Avoid giving aspirin to children under 14, as it is associated with Reye's syndrome, a rare but serious condition.)
- Invest in an oral numbing spray for relief.
- Enjoy cold treats such as ice cubes or popsicles to soothe the pain.
- Avoid consuming spicy, salty, or acidic foods and drinks.
- Rinse your mouth with warm saltwater after eating.
Preventing infection is far simpler than managing its symptoms, as with most illnesses. The virus spreads through contact with infected individuals, who may not always show symptoms. Be cautious of exposure to saliva, mucus, and feces. While this might seem straightforward, it’s challenging when dealing with children, who tend to spread bodily fluids everywhere. Additionally, the hand, foot, and mouth virus can persist for weeks, even after apparent recovery.
This means you’re encouraged to wash your hands thoroughly and disinfect all nearby surfaces. Pay extra attention in childcare settings. If you’re treating burst skin blisters with antibiotic cream, always wear gloves for protection.
Ensure children stay home until they’ve fully recovered, and do the same if you’re infected to avoid spreading the virus to a classroom of 4-year-olds or an entire office of adults.
Interested in learning more? Continue reading for additional insights on the next page.
