Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease – Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis
A health professional checks for a few main signs and symptoms to figure out if someone has hand, foot, and mouth disease. They look for:
- Fever
- Painful mouth sores or blisters
- Skin rash on the hands, feet, or other spots
Doctors usually ask about the person’s age and any flu-like symptoms like a sore throat or loss of appetite. These details help rule out other conditions with similar presentations.
In some cases, a throat swab or stool sample may be collected and sent to a laboratory. This helps identify the specific virus causing the illness, such as coxsackievirus A16 or enterovirus 71, both of which are common culprits.
This testing becomes especially important if:
- The symptoms are severe or unusual.
- There is concern about complications.
- The patient is immunocompromised.
- The outbreak occurs in a childcare or healthcare setting.
A careful diagnostic approach helps doctors differentiate hand, foot, and mouth disease from other conditions that may look similar.
Treatment
There’s no targeted cure for hand-foot-and-mouth disease, but symptoms usually clear up within 7 to 10 days.
People can use over-the-counter meds like acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain and fever—just skip the aspirin. For mouth pain, try a topical oral anesthetic. Drinking lots of fluids and getting enough rest make recovery easier.
Self-Care
Keeping children comfortable at home really matters. To help with mouth or throat blisters, offer cold stuff like ice chips, ice pops, or even ice cream.
Soft foods such as yogurt or mashed potatoes are gentler and less likely to bother sores. Encourage frequent sips of cool water to prevent dehydration.
Stay away from acidic or spicy foods and drinks, like citrus fruits or soda, since they can make mouth sores worse. If your child is old enough, gentle swishing with warm salt water can help soothe their mouth.
Good hand hygiene goes a long way. Wash hands often with soap and water or use alcohol-based sanitizer. Clean surfaces regularly with disinfectant to lower the chance of spreading germs.
Getting Ready for Your Visit
Steps You Can Take Beforehand
Before heading to the doctor, gather key details to make the appointment smoother. Jot down your child’s symptoms, even the ones that don’t seem to fit.
Note any recent stresses, changes in daily routine, or family health history. Make a list of all medications, vitamins, or supplements, including amounts and times.
Think of questions you want to ask the doctor. Here are a few ideas:
- What might be causing these symptoms?
- Are there other possible reasons for my child’s illness?
- What types of tests could we need?
- What are the next steps?
- How do we manage other health conditions along with this?
- What can we do at home to help?
- Are there activities or places we should avoid, like day care?
If you can, bring another adult to help remember what the provider says.
Here’s a simple table to organize your notes:
| Category | Details to Note |
|---|---|
| Symptoms | List all, even mild or rare ones |
| Recent changes | Life events, travel, new school/care |
| Medicines/Supplements | Names, doses, times taken |
| Questions for the doctor | List in advance |
Questions the Healthcare Provider May Ask
The provider will want a detailed history to understand your child’s condition.
Expect questions like:
- When did the symptoms start?
- Are the symptoms constant or do they come and go?
- How severe are the symptoms?
- Has your child been around anyone who’s sick?
- Have there been outbreaks at places your child visits, like day care?
- What makes symptoms better or worse?
Giving clear answers helps the provider figure out whether it’s hand-foot-and-mouth disease—which often hits infants and kids under 5—or something else.
How to Help Your Child While Waiting
While you wait for the appointment, focus on your child’s comfort.
Try these tips:
- Encourage rest, especially if your child seems tired.
- Offer plenty of fluids to help prevent dehydration.
Keep them away from cigarette smoke or anything that could irritate their mouth or throat. Remind everyone to wash their hands often, especially after changing diapers or touching saliva or feces.
Watch symptoms closely and don’t give aspirin to children because of the risk of Reye syndrome. Try to limit contact with others—especially in groups like day care—to help keep the illness from spreading.
