Family Casebook

Sep 14 2008 Dr Gareth Smith

Hand, Foot And Mouth Disease

BELIEVE it or not, your child can get hand, foot and mouth disease in the school playground. It is a viral infection caused by coxackie A or B viruses.

It usually affects kids under 10 but can occur in older children or adults, giving milder symptoms.

Kids often feel unwell for a couple of days before developing a sore throat.

Small spots develop inside the mouth which develop into small ulcers.

After another day, spots appear on the hands and feet as well as the buttocks and genital area.

They look like chickenpox but are more tender than itchy. It is not a serious infection but leaves children feeling miserable for a few days.

It is infectious and the incubation period is about four to six days - meaning they may have spread the infection before symptoms developed.

The virus can be present in the stool for a few weeks after the infection has cleared so it is important to encourage good hygiene when they go to school.

There is no treatment other than Calpol.

Ice lollies help soothe their mouths and make sure they drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.