hand, foot and mouth disease

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD): A Common Viral Illness

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common viral illness that affects infants and children, but can also affect adults. The infection usually involves the hands, feet, mouth, and sometimes, even the genitals and buttocks.

Causes of HFMD

The cause of hand, foot, and mouth disease is coxsackievirus A type 16 in most cases, but the infection can also be caused by many other strains of coxsackievirus. This virus is highly contagious and spreads easily from person to person through contact with an infected person's saliva, mucus, or blister fluid.

Symptoms of HFMD

The symptoms of hand, foot, and mouth disease include:

• Fever
• Mouth sores
• A skin rash on the hands and feet
• Painful red blisters in the mouth and throat, and on the hands, feet, and diaper area

Prevention and Treatment

To help prevent catching or spreading HFMD, it is essential to wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after changing diapers, using the toilet, and coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose. Help children wash their hands and keep blisters clean.

There's no specific treatment for hand-foot-and-mouth disease. Frequent hand-washing and avoiding close contact with an infected person can help prevent the spread of the virus.

References

• [1] HFMD is a common viral illness usually affecting infants and children but can affect adults.
• [2] The infection usually involves the hands, feet, mouth, and sometimes, even the genitals and buttocks.
• [3] Coxsackievirus A type 16 is the most common cause of HFMD in most cases.
• [4] Symptoms include fever, mouth sores, a skin rash on the hands and feet, and painful red blisters in the mouth and throat, and on the hands, feet, and diaper area.
• [5] Frequent hand-washing and avoiding close contact with an infected person can help prevent the spread of the virus.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a viral infection that affects young children, causing a range of symptoms. The signs and symptoms of HFMD can vary from child to child, but most commonly include:

• Fever: A mild fever is often the first symptom of HFMD, lasting for 1-2 days [3].
• Sore throat: Painful mouth sores that blister are a common symptom of HFMD, usually appearing on the second day of illness [4].
• Mouth ulcers: Small, oval-shaped blisters can appear in the mouth and throat area [7].
• Skin rash: A spotty rash and blisters can appear on the hands, feet, and diaper area [6].
• Loss of appetite: Children with HFMD may show a decrease in appetite due to soreness in the mouth and throat [8].
• Stomachache: Some children may experience stomach pain and discomfort during the early stages of illness [5].

Other Possible Symptoms

In addition to these common symptoms, some children may also experience:

• Irritability and fussiness
• Sleep disturbances
• Runny nose
• Diarrhea (rarely)
• Discoloration or abnormal pigmentation of skin

Duration of Symptoms

Most children with HFMD recover within 7-10 days, with the symptoms gradually subsiding over this period [12]. However, some children may experience lingering symptoms for a few more days.

It's essential to note that while these symptoms are common in HFMD, they can also be present in other viral infections. If you suspect your child has HFMD or any other illness, consult with a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Diagnostic Tests for Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) can be diagnosed based on a combination of clinical history, physical examination, and laboratory tests.

• Clinical History: A healthcare provider will ask about the patient's symptoms, such as fever, sore throat, malaise, headache, and general feeling of unwell. This information is often sufficient to make a diagnosis [1].
• Physical Examination: The rash on the hands and feet, as well as painful sores in the mouth, are characteristic features of HFMD that can be observed during a physical examination [2]. In some cases, the rash may be enough to diagnose the condition [3].
• Laboratory Tests: While not always necessary, laboratory tests such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and microarray technology can be used to identify the causative virus [4]. However, these tests are rarely performed due to their expense and length of time needed to complete them [5].
• Viral Swab or Stool Sample: In some cases, a healthcare provider may take a viral swab from the mouth or a stool sample for laboratory testing to confirm the diagnosis [6].

It's worth noting that most doctors can diagnose HFMD by examining the rash and mouth sores, considering the patient's age, and asking about symptoms [7]. Specific viral tests are available to confirm the diagnosis, but they are not always necessary.

References:

[1] Context 3 [2] Context 6 [3] Context 6 [4] Context 5 [5] Context 8 [6] Context 9 [7] Context 9

Treatment Options for Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a viral infection that typically resolves on its own within 7-10 days without specific treatment. However, there are some over-the-counter medications and home remedies that can help alleviate symptoms.

• Pain Relief: Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) can help relieve general discomfort, fever, and sore throat [6][13].
• Mouth Sores: A topical oral anesthetic may help relieve the pain of mouth sores [1].

Important Notes

• Antibiotics are not effective against viral infections like HFMD.
• There is no specific treatment for hand-foot-and-mouth disease.

It's essential to note that while these treatments can provide some relief, they do not cure the infection. Most people recover on their own within 7-10 days with minimal or no medical treatment [3][4].

References

[1] Context result 1: A topical oral anesthetic may help relieve the pain of mouth sores. [2] Context result 6: Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers for fever and pain, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®) and ibuprofen ... [3] Context result 3: Most people get better on their own in 7 to 10 days with minimal or no medical treatment. [4] Context result 5: There is no specific treatment and usually none is required.

Differential Diagnoses for Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) can be challenging to diagnose due to its similarity in presentation with other conditions. The differential diagnoses for HFMD include:

• Herpes Simplex Virus Infections: Herpangina, a viral infection that causes small blisters or ulcers on the mouth and throat, can be mistaken for HFMD [5].
• Chicken Pox (Varicella): The rash caused by chicken pox can resemble the vesicular rash seen in HFMD [6].
• Measles: Measles can cause a maculopapular rash that may be confused with HFMD [10].
• Aphthous Ulcers/Gingivitis: Bacterial infections such as Group A Streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus can cause similar blistering skin lesions, making them a differential diagnosis for HFMD [4].
• Herpangina: This viral infection causes small blisters or ulcers on the mouth and throat, which can be mistaken for HFMD [5].
• Varicella Infections: The rash caused by varicella (chicken pox) can resemble the vesicular rash seen in HFMD [6].
• Stevens-Johnson Syndrome/Erythema Multiforme: In adults, reports of hand-foot-and-mouth disease that mimics Stevens-Johnson syndrome or erythema multiforme have been described [7].

It is essential to consider these differential diagnoses when evaluating patients with symptoms suggestive of HFMD. A thorough medical history and physical examination can help differentiate between these conditions.

References:

[1] Cheng YT, Yang JY. Epidemiologic features of hand-foot-mouth disease and herpangina caused by enterovirus 71 in Taiwan, 1998-2005. Pediatrics. 2007 Aug;120(2):e244-52. [4] Hand, foot, and mouth disease, usually caused by a coxsackie virus, is a common, mild viral infection often affecting young children. ... [5] Differentiating Hand-foot-and-mouth disease from other Diseases. Hand-foot-and-mouth disease should be differentiated from other conditions that cause maculopapular or vesicular rash include: Herpes simplex virus infections; Herpangina; Chicken pox; Measles; Aphthous ulcers/ Gingivitis. [6] The differential diagnosis of hand-foot-and-mouth disease includes herpetic gingivostomatitis ... [7] In adults, reports of hand-foot-and-mouth disease that mimics Stevens-Johnson syndrome or erythema multiforme have been described [7]. [10] Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common viral illness usually affecting infants and children but can affect adults. The infection usually involves the hands, feet, mouth, and sometimes, even the genitals and buttocks. ...