What is Hand Foot and Mouth Disease?

Hand foot and mouth disease (or HFMD) is a common, contagious childhood virus caused by contact with the stool of a person infected with HFMD or by fomites (disease-causing germs found on objects). HFM disease's clinical name is coxsackievirus A16 and it should not be confused with the foot and mouth disease that is common in cattle. Hand, foot, and mouth disease is most commonly contracted by children under the age of ten, but it is possible for older children and even adults to be stricken with the virus.

Symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease may include, but are not limited to:

• Fever
• Sore throat
• Decrease in appetite
• Mouth sores
• Skin rash (often red spots that may even be present on the palms of the hands or the soles of the feet)

Teaching children healthy lifestyle options, that include frequent hand washing, can help prevent a child from contracting hand, foot, and mouth disease. It's especially important that children practice thorough hand washing after bathroom activities as the virus can be contained within fecal matter and may be passed by eating with infected hands or placing hands in the mouth after improper washing.

Because hand, foot, and mouth disease is also present in fomites, it's important that children not place toys and other objects in their mouths, especially those found at daycare centers and schools that may contain germs likely to lead to HFMD.

The treatment for hand, foot and mouth disease most commonly involves keeping the child well hydrated and assuring that the child has plenty of rest while recovering from the illness. Most children will not have an interest in solid foods when they are recovering from HFMD, so parents are advised to feed them fruit juices and soups during this time. Antibiotics do not help cure hand, foot and mouth disease, but treating the child's feverish, uncomfortable, and painful symptoms can help as their body fights the virus.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease normally lasts about one week. Children are often kept away from daycare or school settings while they recover. While it's not certain that isolating children can prevent others from contracting HFMD, it is important for a sick child to get lots of rest in order to fully recover and for them to be cared for in an environment sensitive to the child's needs at this time.

Parents of young children are strongly advised to model and instill methods of healthy living in their children as a preventative measure against things like HFM disease and a variety of other illnesses. By keeping a child's immune system strong and teaching them preventative health strategies, they are better prepared to avoid contracting harmful illnesses and viruses.

Ways of assuring a healthy lifestyle that builds a strong immune system include:

• Eight to ten hours of sleep each night
• Daily exercise
• Daily doses of sunshine and fresh air
• Eating fruits and vegetables high in vitamins and minerals
• Avoiding processed foods, junk food, and fast food
• Avoiding foods prepared with processed sugars or artificial sweeteners
• Frequent hand washing
• Avoiding eating or drinking after others

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  Resources:

  http://www.drgreene.com/21_1103.html

  http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1132264-overview

  http://dermnetnz.org/viral/hand-foot-mouth.html

  http://www.medicinenet.com/hand-foot-and-mouth_syndrome/article.htm

  http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hand-foot-and-mouth-disease/

  
  
  

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