Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease

This Bulletin is being released to educate and inform the parents on the HAND, FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE with additional information on how to keep your loved one’s safe. Parents are requested to watch their children and take additional precautions and in case of doubt PLEASE TAKE DOCTOR’S OPINION and if confirmed, PLEASE DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL.

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease - Children Care Guide

Hand foot - mouth disease is a common childhood illness featuring mouth sores, fever, and a rash.

HFMD is most often caught by children under 10 years old. Children with HFMD usually get a fever first, then red spots with blisters in the middle. HFMD blisters may form in the mouth and on the tongue, hand feet or buttocks.

What does HFMD look like?

HFMD usually starts with a fever of about 37.8 to 38.9’C from 1 to 3 days before spots appear. Your child may have sore throat and may be tired, fussy, and not very hungry. This is the time when your child is most likely to spread the virus to others.

Next, red spots appear that form water - filled blisters in the middle. Blisters may form on your child’s tongue or his mouth. Often, mouth blisters pop and become painful ulcers (sores). Blisters may form on the bottoms of your child’s feet, palms of his hands, or between his fingers or toes. They may also form on your child’s buttocks.

What is the treatment for HFMD?

There is no cure for HFMD. You may treat your child’s discomfort in the following ways:

Treat pain and fever. Ask your child’s doctor what medicines can be given for fever or pain relief of mouth sores. NEVER GIVE YOUR CHILD ANY MEDICATION (LIKE ASPIRIN) WITHOUT CONSULTING DOCTOR FIRST. Giving aspirin to your child when he is ill may cause very serious illness called Reye’s syndrome.

Feed your child soft foods that are not salty, spicy, or tart foods may cause more mouth pain. Offer soft, mild foods like yogurt, pudding, milkshakes, mashed potatoes or applesauce. Try to help your child drink as much water, milk and clear liquids as possible. To make drinking easier, serve your child cool and room temperature drinks. Have you child drink from a straw if he has sores on his lips or tongue. Serve drinks in a cup, since sucking from a bottle could be painful.

Provide relief for mouth sores and ulcers. You may try using numbing gels from the drug store. Ask your doctor about an antacid solution to help your child’s mouth sores feel better.

How do I keep others from catching HFMD? 

Wash your hands often. Wash your hands and child’s hands after changing diapers or wiping after BM. Wash hands before working in the kitchen and especially after caring for your child with HFMD. Make sure all your children wash their hands before eating and after going to the bathroom. Hands should also be washed after wiping off saliva (spit) or nose drippings. 

Do not share food or personal items. Do not share cups or eat from the same bowls, plates or utensils. Do not take a bite out of the same food. Do not share toothbrushes. 

Tell others that they have been exposed. Contact your child’s school or daycare center. Tell them that your child’s classmates may have been exposed to HFMD. 

Keep your child away from others while he has a fever or feels ill. Your child may return to school after his fever is gone and he does not feel sick anymore. Also, the red blisters should be dry and crusted over. 

Do not let your child share toys or give kisses while he or she infected. 

Wear latex or rubber gloves when you apply any lotion, cream or ointment to your child’s blisters.