Question
Several children in my son’s kindergarten have been diagnosed with hand, foot, and mouth disease and have already taken leave. I’m worried that my son might have been infected too. I would like to ask first, does hand, foot, and mouth disease require hospitalization? What symptoms do children with this disease have? How should this disease be treated?
Answer
Whether hand, foot, and mouth disease requires hospitalization depends on the specific situation. In cases of severe hand, foot, and mouth disease, hospitalization is necessary. Mild cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease typically do not require special treatment as they are self-limiting. However, it is important to enhance care and observe isolation to prevent the occurrence of severe complications. Severe cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease can lead to serious complications such as pulmonary hemorrhage, respiratory failure, and encephalitis, which usually require hospitalization.