CHECK-UP: What looked like a common cold, turned out to be hand-foot and mouth disease
When my seven year old complained of a sore throat, headache and tiredness, I put it down to the cold that was doing the rounds. But when I discovered small painful blisters on her hands and feet, I knew it was something else. My doctor diagnosed hand-foot and mouth disease.
Hand-foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a viral infection caused by the Coxsackie virus A 16, which is a member of the enterovirus family. Although the condition is most common among those under 10, older teenagers and adults may also be affected by it. Symptoms typically include a high temperature, fatigue, headache, loss of appetite and sore throat.
In addition, a characteristic rash of small blisters can usually be seen on the hands and feet, and in young children in the nappy area. These blisters are very painful when pressure is put on them. Ulcers may also appear in the throat, tongue and mouth.
She hasn't been in contact with any animals so how could she have caught foot and mouth disease?
You may be confusing hand-foot and mouth disease (HFMD) with foot and mouth disease (FMD), a disease found in animals. Although FMD can be transmitted to humans, it tends to have little impact on health. HFMD is spread from person to person through contact with infected nasal discharge, saliva, fluid from the blisters that form on the hands and feet, or from the stools of the infected person.
Strict hand hygiene should be maintained when caring for a person with HFMD to prevent the further spread of infection. Symptoms usually start about three to seven days following infection.
I feel bad I didn't bring her to the GP sooner. Would antibiotics have helped?
As the condition is caused by a virus, treating it with an antibiotic would have been ineffective. While the illness is usually mild and self-limiting, symptoms such as fever and headache can be controlled with over-the-counter products, avoiding anything containing aspirin in children under the age of 12 years.
Rinsing the mouth with salt water may soothe the mouth and throat ulcers.
Avoid spicy or salty foods and citrus fruits which can irritate the mouth ulcers. It is important to encourage good hydration as the child may be reluctant to eat and drink as a result of the painful mouth and throat ulcers.
Medical assistance should be sought if they develop drowsiness, vomiting, irritability or any other new symptoms.