Hand, Foot, And Mouth Disease – Cause, Testing, And Treatment

What is hand, foot and mouth disease?

Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is very contagious. These diseases can be transmitted directly from one person to another by coming into touch with unwashed hands or faeces-contaminated surfaces.

Oftentimes, people mix hand, foot-and-mouth disease, which affects cows, sheep and pigs, with HFMD, which affects humans. Animals do not contract human diseases, and humans do not contract animal diseases.

Signs and symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease

After contracting the virus, symptoms begin to show up 3 to 6 days later. The underlying list is some of the symptoms of HFMD.

• decreased appetite
• sore throat
• painful red blisters in your mouth
• drooling
• headache
• irritability
• malaise (feeling unwell)
• a red rash on your hands  

The earliest signs of HFMD are typically fever and sore throat. The recognisable rashes and blisters appear later, typically 1 or 2 days after the fever starts.

Usually, the rash appears as a flat and red patch. Although lesions can develop on any part of your hands or feet, this is one of the few instances where you will notice a rash on your palms and soles.

The majority of kids with HFMD also experience uncomfortable mouth sores.

How hand, foot and mouth disease spreads?

• The rapid spread of hand, foot and mouth disease spread by direct contact.
• As a sick individual cough or sneezes, respiratory droplets carrying virus particles may spread.
• Exposure to contaminated objects and surfaces.

Apart from the above, the spread of HFMD involves the following:

• Sneeze or coughing
• Sharing cups or sharing utensils are examples of close contact
• Contacting objects that have the pathogen on them

What is the incubation period for hand, foot and mouth diseases?

Usually, it takes 3 to 6 days after the initial infection before symptoms appear. Kids can suffer a fever and a sore throat. They occasionally feel unwell and lose their appetite. Inflammatory sores in the front of the mouth or throat may appear one to two days after the fever starts.

Can adults get hand, foot and mouth disease?

Many viruses bring on contagious diseases like hand, foot and mouth diseases. Infants and young children under the age of five are typically affected, though adults occasionally contract it as well.

The first week of illness is typically the most contagious period for those with hand, foot and mouth disease. Sometimes, even after symptoms subside or even in the absence of any symptoms, people can still transmit the disease to others for days or even weeks.

How long does hand, foot and mouth disease last?

In 7 to 10 days, most patients with hand, foot and mouth illnesses recover independently. Generally, HFMD does not have a specific medical cure. While you or your kid is ill, there are things you can do to manage symptoms and avoid HFMD.

Tests to diagnose hand, foot, and mouth disease

By looking at the patient’s rash, age and other symptoms, medical professionals can determine if someone has HFMD.

Healthcare professionals may occasionally take samples from a patient’s throat or faeces and send them to a lab to be tested for the virus. But these tests are rarely carried out.

Your child’s symptoms will be discussed, and your doctor will examine any sores or rashes. They can typically determine if it is a hand, foot and mouth disease using this information. However, they may also swab your child’s throat, collect a sample of faeces or blood and do so for laboratory testing.

Complications of hand, foot and mouth diseases

It is uncommon for hand, foot and mouth illnesses to have severe consequences. Compared to other HFMD viruses, Enterovirus 71 has a higher propensity to create issues.

Some of the possible complications of hand, foot and mouth diseases include:

• Dehydration (Difficult to take liquids due to mouth sores)
• The membranes around the brain and spinal cord swell (viral meningitis)
• Brain enlargement (encephalitis)
• The muscle in the heart swelling (myocarditis)
• Paralysis

How to prevent hand, foot and mouth disease?

Clean your hands

Wash your hands frequently in soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use a hand sanitiser if soap and water are not accessible.

Wash your hands frequently in the following cases.

• After diaper changes
• Following a bathroom visit
• After sneezing, coughing or blowing your nose
• Before and after providing for a sick person

Clean and disinfect

Toys and doorknobs are regularly touched surfaces that should be cleaned and disinfected.

Do not touch your lips, nose or eyes.

If you have the virus on your hands and if you accidentally touch your eyes, nose or mouth, you could contract HFMD. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unclean hands to reduce the likelihood of getting affected by it.

Keep your distance from sick folks.

Avoid giving a hug or kiss to someone who has hand, foot and mouth disease.

Risk factors of hand, foot and mouth disease

The primary risk factor for hand, foot and mouth disease is age. Most of the disease’s victims are children under the age of 5 to 7 years old. Because the virus spreads through direct touch, children in childcare facilities are particularly at risk.

Many viruses bring on contagious diseases like HFMD. Infants and young children under the age of five are typically affected, though adults occasionally contract it as well.

Treatment for hand, foot and mouth diseases

Hand, foot and mouth diseases have no specific treatment. Hand, foot, and mouth disease symptoms typically go away in 7 to 10 days.

The discomfort caused by mouth sores may be reduced using a topical oral anaesthetic. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen, over-the-counter painkillers other than aspirin, may help ease overall discomfort.

Home remedies

Blisters in the mouth, throat or tongue may itch from certain foods and drinks. Use the following suggestions to help your child experience blister soreness less painfully. These suggestions help make it simpler to eat and drink.

• Eat ice chips or popsicles
• Eat some sherbet or ice cream
• Sip on cold beverages like water
• Sip hot beverages like tea
• Avoid foods and drinks that are acidic
• Consume soft foods that require little chewing

Summing up

After the first symptoms, which usually last 7 to 10 days, you or your child should feel completely better. It is rare to contract the infection once more.  

If symptoms worsen or don’t go away in 10 days, see a doctor immediately. If you fail to see a doctor, you may encounter the following side effects: viral meningitis, encephalitis, paralysis and myocarditis.

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