Hand foot mouth disease

A child in our church has infected the "hand foot mouth disease". Here are some helpful information for parents to be aware of.

Hand, foot and mouth disease

What is hand, foot and mouth disease?
What can parents do?

What is hand, foot and mouth disease?
Hand, foot and mouth disease is an infection caused by a virus. It can occur at any age, but is most likely to affect young children. It usually occurs in the summer and fall.

Hand, foot and mouth disease is usually not a severe illness. It may cause:

* fever
* headache
* sore throat
* loss of appetite
* lack of energy
* small, painful ulcers in the mouth
* a skin rash

The skin rash consists of red spots, often topped by small blisters. It usually appears on the hands and feet but can affect other parts of the body as well.

The virus that causes the infection is found in saliva and spreads from person to person through the air or by touch, as do cold viruses. The incubation period (the amount of time you have the virus in your body before getting sick) is about 10-14 days. A child may be contagious for 1 to 2 weeks after getting sick. It is not related to the virus that causes diseases in animals.

There is no treatment for the infection. Antibiotics won't help it go away faster. It may last for 7 to 10 days.

What can parents do?

* Watch your child for symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease if another child has it. If symptoms appear, make your child comfortable and continue to offer food and liquids.
* Your doctor can determine if the rash is due to hand, foot and mouth disease. If your child has a more severe infection and doesn't drink enough to be well hydrated, it is important that the doctor examine your child.
* Make sure you wash your hands after wiping your child's nose, changing a diaper, and using the toilet, and before preparing food.
* Your child can keep going to child care or school if she feels well enough to take part in the activities.