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Hand, foot, and mouth disease, or HFMD is a mild, contagious, and viral infection that is most common in young children, especially during fall and summer. Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is most commonly caused by a coxsackievirus.
The usual period from initial infection to the time symptoms appear (incubation period) is 3 to 6 days. Children may get a fever and develop a sore throat. They sometimes lose their appetites and don’t feel well.
Family Urgent care provides professional treatment for HFMD. Since it is very common in young children, we make sure to handle them gently and give them extra attention. Our trained staff is highly effective and efficient.
What causes HFMD?
Hand, foot, and mouth diseases are caused by viruses that belong to the Enterovirus family. Common causes of hand, foot, and mouth disease are:
Coxsackievirus A16 is typically the most common cause of hand, foot, and mouth disease.
Coxsackievirus A6 can also cause HFMD and the symptoms may be more severe.
Enterovirus 71 (EV-A71) has been associated with cases and outbreaks in East and Southeast Asia. Although rare, EV-A71 has been associated with more severe diseases such as swelling of the brain.
Viruses can be easily spread from person to person and so HFMD spreads through saliva, fluid from blisters, etc.
What are the types of Hand-foot-mouth disease?
The two types of virus cause HFMD and the symptoms vary depending on the type of virus causing it. The main type of disease is caused by coxsackievirus 16. While the other common type is Enterovirus 71.
How to prevent Hand-foot-and-mouth disease?
Try to wash your hands often and for at least 20 seconds. Be sure to wash your hands after using the toilet or changing a diaper as the virus can be spread through feces. It is quite common in young children so as a parent make sure to teach your kids the importance of proper hygiene. To do that you must also practice disinfecting common areas where kids reach easily. Lastly, make sure to avoid close contact with people as the disease is easily spread. People with the illness should limit their exposure to others while they have symptoms.
How to treat HFMD?
Hand-foot-and-mouth disease has no specific treatment as of now. Symptoms of hand-foot-and-mouth disease usually clear up in 7 to 10 days.
A topical oral anesthetic may help relieve the pain of mouth sores. Over-the-counter pain medications other than aspirin, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), may help relieve general discomfort. Apart from that drink enough liquids. Mouth sores can make it painful to swallow, so your child may not want to drink much. Make sure they drink enough to stay hydrated.
When to rush to the ER in case of Hand-foot-and-mouth disease?
Usually, symptoms clear out on their own but for young children, you cannot take a risks and neglect the symptoms. In cases like those mentioned below, you should rush to the ER:
Your child is not drinking enough to stay hydrated
Symptoms do not improve after 10 days
Your child has a weakened immune system
Symptoms are severe
Your child is very young, especially younger than 6 months
In such cases, Family urgent care clinics provides ER services and has professionals who can provide immediate and definite care for Hand-foot-and-mouth disease. We entertain walk-in consultations, checkups and ER services. Contact us today for your family, and yourself. We have three locations, namely, Schererville Urgent Care Clinic, Lincoln Park Urgent care Clinic and Morse Urgent Care Clinic. Visit us today!
