Question
A child with hand, foot, and mouth disease has developed red rashes on the hands, feet, and buttocks, and had previously exhibited symptoms of fever and cough. The child was mistakenly treated with medication for a common cold. After hospital diagnosis as hand, foot, and mouth disease, what treatment should be administered?
Answer
The treatment of hand, foot, and mouth disease primarily focuses on symptomatic treatment principles. It is recommended to use antiviral drugs, cooling and detoxifying Chinese herbal medicine, vitamin B complex, and vitamin C as auxiliary treatments. If complications arise, consider intramuscular injection of immunoglobulin. During the treatment period, special attention should be paid to the child’s personal hygiene, especially oral hygiene. Encourage the use of saline or warm water for rinsing the mouth before and after meals. In terms of diet, it is advisable to choose liquid or semi-liquid foods that are non-irritating. Hand, foot, and mouth disease may be accompanied by complications such as myocarditis, encephalitis, meningitis, and flaccid paralysis. Therefore, treatment and care should be carried out with caution.