Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

Uncomfortable, painful blisters in the mouth, on the palms and soles: If your child is suffering from these symptoms, it is highly likely to be hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD). This typical childhood illness is unpleasant but usually mild. In this article, you will learn how to recognize the viral infection by its typical symptoms, how to relieve your child's discomfort, and how to prevent infection.

Transmission

Hand-Mund-Fuß is a highly contagious viral disease , which is mainly transmitted via fomite infection, for example through hands, door handles, handrails, or stair railings). But also a Droplet infection when coughing or sneezing is possible. Transmission mainly occurs via hands (fomite transmission) and body fluids, for example through door handles, handrails, or stair railings. Especially the fluid from the blisters of the rash is contagious, and since the viruses are resistant to stomach acid, also the stool of infected individuals.

There is usually a delay between infection and the outbreak of the infectious disease three to ten days . Since the risk of infection from the fluid in the blisters is particularly high, the risk of infection decreases once the blisters have dried out. Even if there are no longer any signs of illness indicating hand-foot-mouth disease, the viruses can still be present for several weeks and are excreted through the stool.

Children up to ten years old are most frequently infected with hand-foot-and-mouth disease, which is why the viral illness is considered a typical childhood disease. However, older children and adults can also become infected. Hand-foot-and-mouth occurs throughout the year, but most infections are observed in summer and autumn.

Symptoms and Course

The disease is triggered by various resistant viruses that make the childhood disease so contagious. Among the first typical signs can be Fever, loss of appetite, sore throat, limb, and headache count. One to two days after the start of the Fever then small form themselves red spots on the oral mucosa (Aphten), primarily on the tongue and gums. As the illness progresses, the spots develop into painful, white-gray blisters. One to two days later, flat or raised red spots also appear around the mouth, on the palms and soles – the typical constellation that gives the disease its name. In some cases, the spots can also occur on the buttocks, in the genital area, on the knees or elbows. Rarely, inflammation of the tonsils and lips may also occur. Usually, the rash does not cause itching, but in some cases, it may.

In the vast majority of cases, hand-foot-and-mouth disease runs a mild course, and most young and old patients recover within five to seven days without medical treatment. The blisters heal on their own, leaving no permanent scars. Over 80% of all infected individuals, especially adults, show no symptoms at all but can still transmit the virus.

As with all viral illnesses, Hand-Foot-Mouth disease can very rarely lead to complications such as meningitis, pneumonia, or myocarditis. Even more rarely, about four weeks after the infection, peeling or tearing of the fingernails or toenails may occur – but they will grow back.

Hand-Mouth-Foot during Pregnancy

The disease also progresses during pregnancy. generally mild and complications occur only in very rare cases. If you become infected with the disease shortly before birth, it can happen that you transmit the infection to your baby during delivery. In that case, your baby should definitely receive medical care: Although it is also true for newborns that the disease is mild in most cases, in very rare instances, the virus can weaken organs such as the liver or heart of the newborn.

Treatment

If your little explorer is suffering from the typical hand-foot-mouth symptoms, you should be sure to contact your doctor primarily to rule out serious illnesses such as meningitis. If the symptoms are not clear-cut, a hand-foot-mouth infection can be detected through a stool sample, a throat swab, or the blisters. Even if your child is not taking in food and/or fluids, you should consider seek medical advice . The infectious disease is not reportable to the health department, however.

Apart from such complications, it is no specific therapy for treatment by hand-mouth-foot required, only the S symptoms can be alleviated . For the uncomfortable blisters in the mouth, the doctor may prescribe a pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory tincture for your child, which can be applied directly to the blisters or used as a rinse. Even if your little explorer has a fever, administering suppositories or fever-reducing medication can be helpful. In cases of very severe itching, an antihistamine is rarely prescribed.

In addition to medication, there are a few things you can do at home to relieve your child's pain and do something good for them:

• Calf wraps can help reduce fever.
  

• Since swallowing can be uncomfortable with hand-foot-mouth disease, offer him soft foods like soups, porridge, or yogurt.
  

• Make sure your little explorer drinks enough fluids – a straw can make drinking easier.
  

• Even a water ice can be pleasant and provide relief through cooling.
  

• Your child should not consume acidic foods and drinks.
  

• Loose clothing, cotton bedding, and moderately heated rooms help prevent the itching from worsening.
  

• Make sure your child's fingernails are trimmed short so they don't scratch their skin when experiencing intense itching.
  

• As long as the blisters are not crusted over, baths should not last longer than ten minutes.
  

Prevention and Protection

If your child has Hand-Foot-Mouth disease, it is equally important to not only alleviate their symptoms but also to protect yourself and others around them from infection. As long as their symptoms are acute, your child should not attend daycare and similar facilities and should stay at home until the infectious blisters have completely dried up and all symptoms have fully subsided. Since the virus can still be transmitted even after symptoms have disappeared, you should continue to observe some hygiene measures when in contact with others to minimize the risk of infection:

• Regularly wash your hands and your child's hands with soap, especially after using the toilet and when you have changed your baby's diaper.
  

• Frequently touched items, clean regularly: toys, door handles, knobs, etc.
  

• Towels, cutlery, and dishes should not be shared.
  

There is no vaccine against the disease – however, if your child has had Hand-Foot-Mouth disease once, they will be immune to the causative virus for life. Since multiple different viruses can cause the disease, it is still possible to contract Hand-Foot-Mouth disease multiple times in life. Seeing your child with rashes and blisters is certainly not easy for your mama or papa heart. But your little explorer will hopefully get through this childhood illness with a little care and love and will be back to themselves soon. Until then, we wish you a speedy recovery!