Understanding Hand Foot and Mouth Disease: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Understanding Hand Foot and Mouth Disease: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

If you have young children, you might have heard about Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) – a common viral illness that mainly affects infants and children below the age of five. The disease isn’t fatal, but it can make the patient uncomfortable and miserable. In this article, we will discuss what HFMD is, the symptoms, causes, and the available treatment options.

What is Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease?

HFMD is a viral infection that’s caused by the Coxsackie virus, although a strain of Enterovirus can also trigger it. The Mayo Clinic reports that the sickness usually begins with a fever and sore throat, followed by the appearance of blisters in the mouth and on the hands and feet.

Symptoms of HFMD

The symptoms of HFMD may vary depending on the age of the affected person. For children, the symptoms may appear as mild fever with a sore throat, followed by small red spots in the mouth and throat. These spots may turn into blisters and become quite painful, making it hard to swallow food or even speak. The child may also get a rash on their hands and feet, which may turn into blisters or sores. In adults, the symptoms may appear less severe or may not show up at all.

Causes of HFMD

HFMD is mainly caused by the Coxsackie virus, but other strains of Enterovirus can also cause it. The virus is highly contagious and can spread from person to person through direct contact with the blister fluids or stool of an infected person. This is more common in crowded places such as schools, daycares, and playgrounds. You can also catch HFMD by touching objects that have come into contact with an infected person.

Treatment for HFMD

There is no specific cure or treatment for HFMD, but most healthy children/infants will recover within seven to ten days. The goal of treatment is to relieve the symptoms and help the patient feel comfortable. Doctors may recommend over-the-counter fever reducers/pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen to manage the fever and discomfort. Drinking plenty of fluids and keeping the mouth clean by using salt water rinses may also help. If the blisters are too painful, topical ointments may be prescribed to ease the discomfort. In severe cases, hospitalization may be required.

Conclusion

HFMD is a common viral illness that affects young children and infants, and it’s caused by the Coxsackie virus or other strains of Enterovirus. While it can be uncomfortable and painful, most healthy children will recover without complications within seven to ten days. Treatment focuses on managing the symptoms and keeping the patient comfortable. Additionally, the best way to prevent the spread of HFMD is by practicing good hygiene, washing hands regularly, and avoiding contact with fluids from infected people or contaminated surfaces.