eWellness: Hand, foot and mouth disease: Salient facts
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Dr KK Aggarwal 08 September 2017
Hand, foot and mouth disease is a viral illness most commonly caused by the Coxsackie virus A6.
Enteroviruses 71 (EV71) can also cause hand, foot and mouth disease.
Both adults and children can develop this infection. But young children below 5 years old are more susceptible.
It is a moderately contagious illness.
The incubation period is 5 days.
The illness begins with fever, which lasts for 24–48 hours.
Fever is followed by appearance of painful sores in mouth. They begin as small red spots that blister and then often become ulcers. Tongue is involved.
There are peripherally distributed small tender non itchy rash with blisters on palms of the hands, and soles of feet and buttocks.
The sores hurt on touch and swallowing is difficult.
There is proximal separation of nail from the nail bed.
The virus is present in mucus from nose, saliva, fluid from sores and traces of bowel movements.
The virus spreads in the first week of infection.
The infection spreads from person to person by direct contact with nasal discharge, saliva or blister fluid or from stool of infected persons.
The virus can persist in the stool for weeks.
The illness is not transmitted to or from pets or other animals
The illness stays for 2–3 days. It is usually mild and self-limited.
Entero 71 virus is associated with brain involvement (meningitis and encephalitis), lungs and the heart.
The patient remains infectious after the symptoms have gone.
Test is not necessary.
There is no specific treatment.
Paracetamol tablet can be taken to relieve pain and fever.
Aspirin is to be avoided in children.
Avoid dehydration.
Eat ice cream to numb the pain.
Using mouthwashes or sprays that numb mouth
Regularly wash your hands with soap and water.
Avoid exposure to infected person.
Maintain touch hygiene to reduce your risk of acquiring the infection.
During first week of illness, the child should be kept in isolation.
Schools should be closed.
There is no vaccine currently available
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