Hand foot and mouth disease: Your questions answered

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common viral infection that causes painful red blisters in the mouth and throat, and on the hands, feet, and buttocks. It is mostly commonly caused by coxsackie virus. Children under age 7 are most at risk for HFMD. Infections are common in creches, childcare /daycare centers, preschools, and schools.

Frequent handwashing and avoiding close contact with people who have hand-foot-and-mouth disease may help lower your child's risk of infection.

Is Hand foot and mouth disease contagious (spreads from person to person)?

HFMD is contagious and easily spreads through contact with unwashed hands, faeces (poop), saliva, mucus from the nose, or fluid from the blisters of infected children.

How soon will me child get symptoms after contact with child with HFMD?

Symptoms will appear after is 3 to 6 days after exposure from another child with HFMD this period is known as incubation period.

What are the symptoms of HFMD?

Children of Hand-foot-and-mouth disease may have the following symptoms.

• Fever,

• sore throat,

• loss of appetite

• infants and toddlers may be irritable and fussy.

• painful, blister-like lesions on the tongue, gums and inside of the cheeks and throat.

• Children may drool more than usual.

• pain on swallowing or eating and hence refuse food and liquids.

• rash on the face, palm of hands, sole of feet The rashes may also appear on buttocks, legs, and arms.

  The rashes are usually red raised spots and may become painful, blister like lesions.

How to prevent HFMD?

Prevention is by avoiding close contact with children with HFMD, Parents should not send their child to daycare or schools if their child is suffering from HFMD. Maintain good hand washing before food preparing and eating food, and after changing diapers, and sanitising all surfaces and overall good hygiene practices.

There is no vaccine against HFMD.

What is the treatment of HFMD?

There is no specific treatment of HFMD.

Consult your paediatrician

• if your child is less than 6 months old,

• has a weak immune system

• has mouth sore that makes it painful to eat or drink fluids,

• if you think your child has signs of dehydration

• if you have any other concerns.

Your doctor may prescribe paracetamol or ibugesic syrup for fever and pain.