You should stay home while you are sick with hand, foot, and mouth disease
About
- Usually self-limiting but unpleasant
- It is unrelated to animal foot and mouth disease.
Aetiology
- Coxsackievirus A16 is the most common cause
- Enterovirus 71 associated with severe disease, such as encephalitis
- Other enteroviruses
- Outbreaks occur frequently among groups of children
Clinical
- Malaise, fever, systemically unwell
- Usually Infants and young children but can affect adults
- Painful mouth vesicles and ulcers and spots on the hands and feet.
- Fingernail and toenail loss have been reported
Complications
- Dehydration due to oral pain interfering with the intake of fluids
- Secondary bacterial infection of lesions can occur.
- Encephalitis, aseptic meningitis, and acute flaccid paralysis.
Investigations
Management
- Reassure the person, parent, or guardian, and explain that hand, foot, and mouth disease is usually a mild, self-limiting illness.
- Encourage hydration and antipyretics. A soft diet may be necessary if mouth ulcers are painful. Young children are particularly prone to dehydration. Give paracetamol or ibuprofen for symptomatic relief for painful oral lesions.
- Avoid antibiotics either orally or topically (unless a secondary infection is suspected). Do not prescribe antiviral medication. Follow up is not routinely required, but advise the person to seek medical advice if they become dehydrated or more unwell.
References