Hand, foot and mouth disease is a summertime menace

Summer time is here and for many of us, it’s also an opportunity to escape for vacation or take a trip to see relatives. The last thing most parents want to deal with during the summer is a sick child.

Unfortunately, hand, foot and mouth disease – a viral infection caused most commonly by the coxsackievirus A16 virus – is also more common during this time of year. While the disease can affect people of all ages, children under the age of 7 years old are generally more prone to catching hand, foot and mouth because their immune systems are typically weaker.

Hand, foot and mouth is commonly spread through bodily fluids, such as mucus, saliva and feces, and usually spread in the following situations:

• Being in close contact with an infected person
• Through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes
• Contact with feces, such as when changing diapers
• Contact with contaminated objects and surfaces

Hand, foot and mouth gets its name from the tell-tale symptom of the illness: painful, blister-like rashes on the hands, feet and in and around the mouth. However, there are also symptoms that present before the arrival of the rash.

These symptoms include:

• Fever
• Reduced appetite
• Sore throat
• Malaise

Although hand, foot and mouth is uncomfortable, generally, the illness is quite mild. Tylenol or Motrin is recommended to treat fever and reduce pain, and symptoms will usually subside in 7 to 10 days.

Rashes located in the mouth, however, can be concerning since it may cause your child to not drink enough fluid due to pain caused by swallowing, possibly leading to dehydration. If your child isn’t drinking liquids and appears dehydrated, schedule a visit with your primary care physician to ensure they are properly hydrated.

Maintaining good hygiene, such as frequent hand washing, is the key to preventing the spread of hand, foot and mouth. If you suspect that your child has hand, foot and mouth, you can minimize the chances of spreading to others by avoiding close contact such as kissing, hugging and sharing eating utensils or cups.

Children can remain contagious for up to seven days after the fever subsides. Check with your primary care provider if you are unsure when your child can safely return to daycare or school.

While hand, foot and mouth disease can be a menace, instilling the value of hand washing to your child is the most important thing you can do to prevent not just hand, foot and mouth disease, but also other illnesses and infections. Making this a priority will help keep your child healthy during the summer time and your vacation plans intact too.

For more information about the Tallahassee Memorial Family Medicine Residency Program, visit TMH.ORG/FamilyMedicine. 

Zalika Paul, MD, is with Tallahassee Memorial Family Medicine Residency Program.