Hand, foot and mouth disease

Hand, foot and mouth disease

Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a highly contagious infection that typically spreads among young children, usually as a result of a coxsackie virus (CAV-16). HFMD occurs in waves during summer and early fall.

Symptoms

After an incubation period of four to six days, the virus produces the following symptoms in those infected:

• Fever
• Mouth sores (small painful ulcers)
• Skin rash (small red blisters) on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, buttocks and sometimes elsewhere
• Sore throat
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Headaches

The disease can last for seven to ten days, during which it is most contagious. The virus can also be present in a person’s stool for several weeks after the onset of initial symptoms.

While rare, complications, such as encephalitis, viral meningitis and pulmonary edema or hemorrhage can develop.  If this situation does occur, it is usually when the disease is caused by enterovirus 71 (EV-71).

See a doctor immediately if your child presents any of these symptoms:

• Frequent vomiting
• Signs of dehydration (e.g. decreased urination, dry mouth and skin)
• Rapid breathing
• Severe sore throat
• Significant headache with a stiff neck
• State of confusion or grogginess

Transmission and prevention

Children, and occasionally adults, contract the disease in one of two ways:

• Direct contact with the saliva or stool of an infected person
• Indirect contact with contaminated objects or surfaces

The most effective ways to keep the disease from spreading is to make sure that those infected and their loved ones wash their hands frequently and thoroughly and to disinfect all contaminated surfaces and objects (diaper-changing areas, toilet bowls, soiled clothes, etc.).

Care and treatment

HFMD requires no special treatment and cannot be cured with medication or antibiotics. But here are a few things you can do to help your child feel better.

• Do not break the blisters.
• Administer acetaminophen or ibuprofen to ease the fever and discomfort caused by the mouth sores.
• If your child is old enough, teach him or her to gargle with a mix of lukewarm water and salt to reduce the pain of the sore throat (1/2 tsp of salt in 1 cup of lukewarm water)
• Keep your child well hydrated with plenty of water or milk. Avoid fruit juice, since its high acid content can increase pain.
• If a sore throat is keeping your child from eating, offer him or her cold, soft food, such as apple sauce or yogurt.

Pharmacy services

Do you have questions about HFMD or any other health matter? Talk to your family pharmacist for answers!