Dr. Dania Rumbak is the Head Pediatrician and co-founder of , House Calls for Kids. Baby Doctor is an on-demand Pediatric Urgent Care service which brings a board-certified, Pediatric professional to your door, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.聽Excited to partner with 海角视频, Baby Doctor brings you this blog on Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease.
- What is Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease?聽Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a common, contagious illness usually caused by summertime Enteroviruses, most commonly Coxsackie virus. This year, we are seeing this virus all the way through fall and into the winter.聽The virus typically affects infants and children under age 5, but this year we are seeing it also in older children and adults.
- What are the symptoms?聽From first exposure, it takes 3-6 days for symptoms to appear.聽The illness starts with fever, sore throat and runny nose, followed by blisters in the mouth (inner cheeks, gums, sides of the tongue, top of the mouth), on the fingers, on the palms of the hands, soles of feet and buttocks.聽One, few or all of these sites may have blisters.聽The symptoms are typically the worst in the first few days of the illness and are usually gone by end of week 1. Children might get peeling of the skin on the hands and feet 1-2 weeks later, which is usually harmless.
- How is Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease diagnosed?聽The diagnosis is made based on symptoms and how the rash looks. The blisters can also be swabbed and sent to a lab for diagnosis. If your child is diagnosed with this disease, be sure to inform their care providers and school so that they can let other families know to look out for symptoms.
- Can Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease be cured?聽There is no cure for hand, foot, and mouth disease, only symptomatic treatment.聽Pain should be treated with Ibuprofen or Tylenol.聽Try and keep kids well hydrated. Encourage fluids and ice pops.
- When should I call my pediatrician? Call your pediatrician or book a Baby Doctor house call if the fever lasts more than 3 days or your child is not taking in fluids.
- How is Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease spread?聽You are generally most contagious during the first week of illness, but the virus may be shed from the nose, mouth and lungs within the first 1-3 weeks and in the stool for weeks to months.
- How can Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease be prevented?聽Wash your hands! Wash hands carefully before and after eating, before and after going to bathroom, before and after changing diapers, and before and after contact with your nose or respiratory secretions.聽Change or cover contaminated clothing.聽Clean, rinse, and sanitize toys. Prevent the sharing of food and other personal items. Prevent kissing as much as possible.聽Avoid sending kids to school with fever and open blisters.
- If my child has had Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease, can they get it again?聽YES! Unfortunately, your kids can get Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease, even if they鈥檝e had it before.聽Try to establish good hand-washing practices all year round to prevent your child from getting sick!
Baby Doctor is here for all your Pediatric Urgent Care needs 24/7. Visit us at聽. The first house call is only $60! Book your house call today!
