Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease (HFMD)

Hand, foot & mouth disease had been excessively common among children in the last few years, and despite the fact that, in most cases, it’s considered a mild condition that heals quickly, it could lead to serious complications sometimes.

Hand, foot & mouth disease (HFMD)

Hand, foot, & mouth disease (HFMD) is a viral illness that often affects children younger than five years old, yet it might affect older children and adults as well. It’s called hand, foot, and mouth disease because it’s characterized by a blister-like painful skin rash in the mouth, hands, and feet. However, this rash could also appear in other parts of the body.

Causes of hand, foot & mouth disease (HFMD)

• Hand, foot, and mouth disease occurs due to coxsackievirus and enterovirus families, and HFMD is extremely contagious.
• The most common ways of transmitting are orally after direct contact with an infected person through nose secretions, saliva, stool, respiratory droplets when sneezing or coughing, and fluid from the blisters.
• The patient is usually more contagious in the first few days after being infected and before the rash, and this continues until the blisters dry up. However, the virus could still appear in the stool for weeks after the rash wears off.

Symptoms of hand, foot & mouth disease (HFMD)

• HFMD usually starts with flu-like symptoms, such as fever, sore throat, runny nose, stomachache, and loss of appetite.
• A few days later, an itchy rash starts appearing in the palms of the hands and soles of the feet in addition to other areas, such as elbows, knees, buttocks, or genitals. Painful sores also appear around and inside the mouth.
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck.

Complications of hand, foot & mouth disease (HFMD)

HFMD complications are rare, such as:

• Dehydration because the mouth sores are painful when eating and drinking.
• Nail loss, yet they regrow again.
• Meningitis and encephalitis, which is a life-threatening condition.

Diagnosis of hand, foot & mouth disease (HFMD)

• Physical examination.
• A throat swab.

Treatment of hand, foot & mouth disease (HFMD)

• There isn’t a specific drug for HFMD, and the condition usually heals on its own within 7-14 days.
• The symptoms can be managed with antipyretics and painkillers.
• In some severe conditions, antivirals might be used.

Prevention of hand, foot & mouth disease (HFMD)

• Washing hands continuously.
• Covering the mouth when coughing and sneezing.
• Avoid contact with people when being infected, and it’s recommended to stay at home until recovery.
• Currently, there is a vaccine for HFMD.