Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease: Symptoms and Diagnosis

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a contagious viral infection that causes blisters and sores. Caused by coxsackieviruses, it occurs in children under age five. Coxsackievirus transmits through direct contact with an infected person. It spreads through infected bodily fluids such as saliva, stool, and respiratory secretions.

Symptoms of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

The main symptom of HFMD is blisters and sores. However, other symptoms include:

• Fever
• Lack of appetite
• Sore throat
• Rashes on hands and soles of the feet
• Blisters inside the mouth
• Headache
• Irritability
• Drooling
• A general feeling of unwellness

Causes of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease is a contagious disease caused by the coxsackievirus. This virus is part of the Enterovirus family. The virus usually spreads from direct human-to-human contact. You may get exposed to the virus in the following ways:

• Shaking unwashed hands
• Coming in touch with a surface contaminated by faeces
• Through bodily fluids like saliva
• Fluid from the blister
• Respiratory droplets from coughing and sneezing

Diagnosis of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

Your doctor will diagnose Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease by physically examining the blisters. They will check inside the mouth and under the soles of the feet. They will also carefully check the palms and back. Your doctor may take a throat swab and a stool sample to confirm the virus's presence.

Treatment of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

Often the Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease goes away on its own within a week or 10 days. It usually does not require any treatment. However, Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease symptoms can make your child uncomfortable. To alleviate the symptoms, your doctor may prescribe certain medications. Avoid giving aspirin to your child. The common medicines prescribed for Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease include:

• Ointments to soothe the rashes and blisters
• Pain medication to relieve headache
• Fever medicine
• Cough syrup for sore throat

Conclusion

Young children have the highest risk of getting HFMD. Risk increases if they attend daycare or school, as the virus can spread fast in these facilities. Children usually become immune to the disease after exposure to the virus that causes it. The condition rarely affects people over the age of 10 years. However, it is still possible for older children and adults to get the infection, significantly if they have weakened immune systems.