What Is Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease?

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (手足口病) is a common illness in children, typically caused by enteroviruses such as Coxsackievirus and Enterovirus 71. Hand, foot, and mouth disease caused by Enterovirus 71 is of particular concern because it is more likely to lead to severe complications, such as viral meningitis or encephalitis, and even death.

What Is Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease?

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a common illness in children, typically caused by enteroviruses such as Coxsackievirus and Enterovirus 71. Hand, foot, and mouth disease caused by Enterovirus 71 is of particular concern because it is more likely to lead to severe complications, such as viral meningitis or encephalitis, and even death.

Symptoms of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

Most patients experience the following symptoms in the early stages of the illness:

• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Sore throat

Later, painful blisters may appear in the mouth, which then develop into ulcers. Additionally, non-itchy red rashes, sometimes with small blisters, may appear on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and occasionally the buttocks or genital area.

Transmission Routes of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is primarily spread through the following routes:

• Contact with nasal or throat secretions from an infected person
• Contact with ruptured blisters
• Contact with an infected person’s feces
• Touching contaminated objects

Precautions for Infected Children

Children with the illness should avoid going to school until all blisters have dried. If the infection is caused by Enterovirus 71, patients should stay home and rest for an additional two weeks after full recovery before returning to school.

Treatment of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

Most patients experience mild symptoms and recover on their own within 7 to 10 days. There is currently no specific medication to treat hand, foot, and mouth disease; treatment generally involves using medications to relieve fever and the pain from ulcers.

When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention?

Parents should closely monitor their child’s condition. If the following symptoms occur, parents should seek medical attention for their child immediately:

• Persistent high fever
• Lethargy or unresponsiveness

Prevention of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

Maintaining good personal hygiene and environmental hygiene are effective prevention methods.