For Physicians
Pay Your Bill Online
Get ER Appointment
Request Medical Records
Insurance Info
Download App
Careers/Jobs
Contact Us
Review Us
For Physicians
Request Medical Records

#### 4 Things Parents Need to Know About Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease

Young children can’t always let you know when they aren’t feeling well, so it’s important for parents to know about common childhood illnesses. Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is most common in infants and children up to 5 years old and can be difficult to diagnose. Here are four things parents should know about hand-foot-and-mouth disease in order to be prepared.

What are the signs and symptoms?

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease can look a lot like the flu at first because the rash that defines it tends to be the last symptom to show up. The first things you’ll notice include a fever, sore throat, loss of appetite and dehydration. It can take up to a week after being exposed to the virus for the rash or blisters to appear.

Once they appear, they can be anywhere in the mouth, including on the tongue and gums; on hands, fingers and the soles of feet; and the buttocks. These sores are sometimes filled with fluid and tend to be at their worst the first few days of their appearance. It’s common and safe for them to peel after the first week or two.

When does my child need to see a doctor?

If your child has a fever that lasts for more than three days, or if your child becomes dehydrated, it is important to see a doctor. Also, if you’re concerned your child might have something besides hand-foot-and-mouth disease, you should consult a doctor. While the disease isn’t dangerous, it’s important to be sure nothing else is going on.

What should I expect the doctor to do?

Because hand-foot-and-mouth disease is viral, antibiotics won’t help. Typically, a doctor will check out the rashes to insure they aren’t from something else. If it is hand-foot-and-mouth disease, they will tell you to keep your child hydrated and to use an over-the-counter medication to control your child’s pain and fever.

Do I need to worry about spreading it to others?

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is spread through bodily fluid, and it is extremely contagious, especially in the beginning. You and your child should avoid going into public until your child’s fever has been gone for 24 hours. It’s important to wash your hands often and avoid contact with any other members of your household. Adults can catch the disease as well as, so it’s advisable to have just one person caring for all children with symptoms to lower the number of people exposed to it.

While hand-foot-and-mouth disease is contagious, it isn’t dangerous. As long as your child’s fever stays under control and they stay properly hydrated, the discomfort associated with it far exceeds the risk of complications.

By SignatureCare ER | Apr 4th, 2017| Categories: Pediatric Clinic
Share this useful information with your friends!

##### Related Blog Posts

##### How to Tell if Your Child Has Asthma or Allergies – When to Visit the Emergency Room

Jun 10th, 2018

##### How to Know if Your Child is Too Sick to Go to School

Apr 26th, 2018

##### Autism Awareness: Guide to Autism, Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

Mar 29th, 2018

##### Bronchitis: Types, Causes, Complications and Treatment

Mar 15th, 2018

##### Tips for Minimizing Sports Injuries in Children

Mar 10th, 2018

##### Asthma: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

Feb 20th, 2018

##### Hemophilia: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

Jan 25th, 2018

##### My Child Got a Concussion – What Should I Do?

Mar 16th, 2016

- Texarkana, TX
- Odessa, TX
- College Station/Bryan, TX
- Midland, TX
- Killeen, TX
- Frisco, TX (Coming Soon)
- Plano, TX (Coming Soon)

Emergency Room Locations.
Contact Us.
Review Us.
Insurance Info.
Blog.
Scholarship.
Awards.
Notice of Privacy Practices.
Our Stand Against Racism.
Message to Medicare Patients