Hand Foot and Mouth Disease Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Definition
Hand foot and mouth disease is a mild and contagious viral infection in children. This condition is characterized by sores in the mouth and rashes on the hands and feet. Hand foot and mouth disease is most often caused by a type of coxsackievirus.
There is no specific treatment for this disease. However, washing your hands routinely and avoiding close contact with individuals who are suffering from hand, foot, and mouth disease can help reduce the risk of transmission.
Symptoms
Hand, foot and mouth disease can cause the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Sore throat
- feverish
- Painful, red sores on the tongue, gums, or inside of the cheeks
- A red rash that is sometimes accompanied by sores, without itching, on the palms, soles, and sometimes on the buttocks
- Fussy in babies and young children
- Decreased appetite
Generally, the period from the time of infection to the onset of symptoms is about three to six days. Fever is often the first sign of hand foot and mouth disease, followed by sore throat and sometimes decreased appetite and a feeling of well-being.
About one to two days after the fever starts, painful sores may also develop in the mouth or throat. A rash on the hands, feet, and sometimes on the buttocks can also appear one to two days later.
Reason
The most common cause of hand foot and mouth disease is infection with coxsackievirus A16, a member of a group of viruses classified as non-polio enteroviruses. Other types of enterovirus can also sometimes cause hand foot and mouth disease.
This disease can be transmitted through contact with phlegm, saliva, fluids from wounds, feces, or liquid droplets from the respiratory tract due to coughing or sneezing. Hand foot and mouth disease most often occurs in children under 10 years of age.
Diagnosis
Doctors can determine the diagnosis of hand foot and mouth disease and distinguish it from other types of viral infections by evaluating the age of the person experiencing signs and symptoms, the pattern of signs and symptoms, and the presence of rashes or sores on the body.
The doctor may also take a throat swab or stool specimen for further evaluation in the laboratory, to determine the type of virus that is causing the symptoms.
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for hand foot and mouth disease. Signs and symptoms of this disease generally disappear after 7 to 10 days.
Generally, pain medications can be used to reduce pain in sores in the mouth. In addition, doctors can also prescribe pain-reducing or fever-reducing drugs to reduce the symptoms of chills and fever.
Prevention
Several things can be implemented to reduce the risk of contracting hand foot and mouth disease, including:
- Wash hands thoroughly. Make sure that you wash your hands regularly and thoroughly, especially after using the toilet, after changing diapers, before preparing food, and before eating.
- Clean up the surroundings. Make sure to keep your surroundings clean by cleaning them with soap and water and then using a chlorine and water mixture afterward. Items that children have frequent contact with, such as toys and dolls, should also be kept clean.
- Educating good hygiene to children. Show your child how to practice good hygiene. Explain to them why it is not okay to put their fingers, hands or objects in their mouths.
- Avoid contact with infected individuals. As hand foot and mouth disease is a contagious disease, individuals with this disease are advised to avoid contact with other people until the fever subsides and the mouth sores have healed.