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My 2 Years Old Son Has Fever & Hand, Mouth & Foot Disease
My son who just turned 2 on 1/9/11 began running a fever last Thurs 1/20/11. On Monday he awoke with Sores on his chin. Tuesday 1/25/11 the doctor diagnosed him with hand mouth and foot disease. I was told he d have the fever for about a week. His fever hasn t been over 102 degrees, but it is Saturday 1/29 and he is still running a fever on & off. At times he s back to his old self and then his nose begins to run and the fever returns. When should I be worried? Should I take him to the ER? I haven t taken him, because I don t want him being priked and probed and then told its just a virus . I have a daughter, who is 9 month and she caught the virus, she also has the mouth sores , but hasn t had fever as frequent as her brother. I have disinfected the house, sprayed lysol, cleaned, kept them apart, constant hand washing, I have even arranged for someone to come to the house to care for them, while I m working until they get better. I am kind of worried, but am not sure if I should be. Please help.
Wed, 14 Sep 2011
Hi,
Hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) is most commonly caused by coxsackievirus A16, a member of the enterovirus family.
The disease is not spread from pets, but it can be spread by person to person. You may catch it if you come into direct contact with nose and throat discharges, saliva, fluid from blisters, or the stools of an infected person. You are most contagious the first week you have the disease.The time between infection and the development of symptoms is about 3 - 7 days.The most important risk factor is age. The infection occurs most often in children under age 10, but can be seen in adolescents and occasionally adults. The outbreaks occur most often in the summer .There is no specific treatment for the infection other than relief of symptoms.
Treatment with antibiotics is not effective, and is not indicated. Over-the-counter medicines, such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) can be used to treat fever. Aspirin should not be used in viral illnesses in children under age 12 years.Salt water mouth rinses (1/2 teaspoon of salt to 1 glass of warm water) may be soothing if the child is able to rinse without swallowing. Make sure your child gets plenty of fluids. Extra fluid is needed when a fever is present.
Please seek a second opinion by contacting another Pediatrician in case your child does not respond.
Thanks
Hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) is most commonly caused by coxsackievirus A16, a member of the enterovirus family.
The disease is not spread from pets, but it can be spread by person to person. You may catch it if you come into direct contact with nose and throat discharges, saliva, fluid from blisters, or the stools of an infected person. You are most contagious the first week you have the disease.The time between infection and the development of symptoms is about 3 - 7 days.The most important risk factor is age. The infection occurs most often in children under age 10, but can be seen in adolescents and occasionally adults. The outbreaks occur most often in the summer .There is no specific treatment for the infection other than relief of symptoms.
Treatment with antibiotics is not effective, and is not indicated. Over-the-counter medicines, such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) can be used to treat fever. Aspirin should not be used in viral illnesses in children under age 12 years.Salt water mouth rinses (1/2 teaspoon of salt to 1 glass of warm water) may be soothing if the child is able to rinse without swallowing. Make sure your child gets plenty of fluids. Extra fluid is needed when a fever is present.
Please seek a second opinion by contacting another Pediatrician in case your child does not respond.
Thanks
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You should not be worried. Hand -foot-and- mouth disease is a harmless disease that is self-limiting within a span of 6-7 days. It is contagious, so your children should remain isolated at home till recovery. Symptomatic treatment of fever and mouth sores is all that are necessary. I hope, by this time your children are OK>.
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