Gavini Pediatrics - Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease

Gavini Pediatric & ADHD Clinics 26850 Providence Parkway, Suite 300, Novi, MI 48374 :: 248.348.4200 www.ADHDclinic.com :: www.YourKidsDoctor.com
Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease What is Hand-Foot-and- Mouth Disease? It is a common virus that is passed only between humans through saliva, stool, nasal secretions or throat discharge, respiratory droplets sprayed into the air after a cough or sneeze, and fluid from blisters. Coxsackievirus is the virus that most commonly causes hand, foot, and mouth disease.
Sores in the mouth. Signs and Symptoms Loss of appetite Sore Throat Fever Painful, red, blister-like lesions on the tongue, gums and inside of the cheeks Malaise, a general feeling of unwellness Irritability in infants and toddlers Sores caused by the virus can be seen on the tongue and throat. Risk factors include children under the age of ten and children who are in day care centers. Be watchful for possible dehydration, as the sores that develop in the mouth and throat make swallowing painful.
Tests and Diagnosis A stool sample or throat swab will be performed to determine which virus is causing the illness, however it is unlikely that your doctor will need to do this to determine if you or your child have hand-foot-and-mouth disease. Your doctor will likely use the following criteria to diagnose hand-foot- and-mouth disease: Age Patterns of symptoms and signs Appearance of the rash or sores
Treatment Since hand-foot-and-mouth disease is caused by a virus, there is no cure for it. The disease usually clears in 10 days, however there are some home remedies that can be used to alleviate symptoms. Suck on ice pops or ice chips Rinse the mouth with warm water after meals Avoid acidic beverages and foods. Such foods and drinks are soda, citrus, and fruit drinks Eat sherbet or ice cream Drinking cold beverages like water or milk Avoid salty or spicy foods Eat food that doesn’t require much chewing
Prevention Measures of prevention: Regular thorough hand washing Teach good hygiene Isolate contagious people Disinfect common areas

Gavini Pediatric & ADHD Clinics

26850 Providence Parkway, Suite 300, Novi, MI 48374 :: 248.348.4200

www.ADHDclinic.com :: www.YourKidsDoctor.com

Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease

What is Hand-Foot-and- Mouth Disease?

It is a common virus that is passed only between humans through saliva, stool, nasal secretions or throat discharge, respiratory droplets sprayed into the air after a cough or sneeze, and fluid from blisters. Coxsackievirus is the virus that most commonly causes hand, foot, and mouth disease.

Sores in the mouth. Sores on the inside of the mouth causes by hand-foot and mouth disease

Signs and Symptoms

Loss of appetite
Sore Throat
Fever
Painful, red, blister-like lesions on the tongue, gums and inside of the cheeks
Malaise, a general feeling of unwellness
Irritability in infants and toddlers

Sores caused by the virus can be seen on the tongue and throat.

Risk factors include children under the age of ten and children who are in day care centers.

Be watchful for possible dehydration, as the sores that develop in the mouth and throat make swallowing painful.

Tests and Diagnosis

A stool sample or throat swab will be performed to determine which virus is causing the illness, however it is unlikely that your doctor will need to do this to determine if you or your child have hand-foot-and-mouth disease.

Your doctor will likely use the following criteria to diagnose hand-foot- and-mouth disease:

Age
Patterns of symptoms and signs
Appearance of the rash or sores

Treatment

Since hand-foot-and-mouth disease is caused by a virus, there is no cure for it. The disease usually clears in 10 days, however there are some home remedies that can be used to alleviate symptoms.

Suck on ice pops or ice chips
Rinse the mouth with warm water after meals
Avoid acidic beverages and foods. Such foods and drinks are soda, citrus, and fruit drinks
Eat sherbet or ice cream
Drinking cold beverages like water or milk
Avoid salty or spicy foods
Eat food that doesn’t require much chewing

Prevention

Measures of prevention:

Regular thorough hand washing
Teach good hygiene
Isolate contagious people
Disinfect common areas