Toddlers - Your Babys Health

Hand-foot-mouth disease is a relatively common viral infection that usually begins in the throat.

Causes

It can be spread by person to person.

You may catch it if you come into direct contact with nose and throat discharges, saliva, fluid from blisters, or the stools of an infected person.

You are most contagious the first week you have the disease.

The time between infection and the development of symptoms is about 3-7 days.

The infection occurs most often in children under age 10, but can be seen in adolescents and occasionally adults.

Symptoms

• Fever

• Headache

• Loss of appetite

• Rash with very small blisters on hands, feet, and nappy area; may be tender or painful if pressed

• Sore throat

• Ulcers in the throat (including tonsils), mouth, and tongue

What you can do?

There is no specific treatment for the infection.

Offer paracetamol/ibuprofen.

Salt water mouth rinses (1/2 teaspoon of salt to 1 glass of warm water) may be soothing if the child is able to rinse without swallowing.

Make sure your child gets plenty of fluids.

Extra fluid is needed when a fever is present. They may refuse juices because their acid content causes burning pain in the ulcers, offer cold milk products.

Complete recovery occurs in 5 to 7 days.

Avoid contact with people with known illness. Wash your hands if you have been in contact with infected children.

Aspirin should NEVER be given to children under age 12 years.

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