Dr. M.J. Bazos, MD
Patient Handout
HAND, FOOT, AND MOUTH
DISEASE
About Your
Diagnosis
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a viral
infection that starts in the throat. It is caused by coxsackievirus A16. It is
spread from individual to individual. It usually affects children up to 3 years
of age. The disease requires no specific treatment and usually resolves in 4 or
5 days.
Living With Your
Diagnosis
Signs and symptoms of the
disease include a sudden onset of fever; a sore throat with ulcers in the mouth
and throat; a rash with blisters on the hands and feet and sometimes the groin
area; loss of appetite; and
headache.
Treatment
Tylenol
or tepid sponge baths can be used to reduce the fever. Children who are old
enough should rinse their mouth with a mild salt water solution. To avoid
spreading the disease, use separate eating utensils and boil them, or use
disposable utensils. Boil bottle nipples separately from bottles for 20 minutes.
Pacifiers should also be sterilized. Keep the child out of day care or
pre-school to prevent spreading the infection to other children. Rest until the
fever is gone. Encourage fluid intake by offering ice creams, custards, and
jello, because solid foods may not be
tolerated.
The
DOs
• Keep the child home from
preschool or day care for 4 or 5
days.
• Use Tylenol or tepid sponge
baths for the fever. Don’t give
aspirin.
• Boil bottle nipples,
pacifiers, and eating utensils after
use.
• Use a mild salt water solution
to rinse the mouth if the child is old enough (1/2 teaspoon in 1 cup warm
water).
• Rest until the fever is
gone.
• Encourage liquids and soft
foods.
The
DON’Ts
• Don’t give
aspirin to a child with a viral infection because aspirin use has been
associated with Reye’s
syndrome.
• Don’t send a child
to preschool or day care for 4 or 5
days.
• Don’t share drinking
cups or eating utensils.
When to Call
Your Doctor
• If symptoms last
longer than 4 or 5 days.
• If a high
fever develops and does not respond to Tylenol or sponge
baths.
• If the child has severe
difficulty swallowing and can’t maintain good fluid
intake.