Question
The child has had a loss of appetite since yesterday. There are one or two small red blisters on their hands. They had a fever of 38.5 degrees last night, which subsided after taking antipyretic medication and has not recurred since. Their appetite is still okay. There are small red blisters on both sides of the mouth, but none on the tongue. Since yesterday morning, the doctor suspects it might be Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease.
Answer
Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease is characterized by blisters occurring in the mouth and on the hands and buttocks, usually accompanied by fever. The most common cause of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease is viral infection, although there are also rare cases of severe bacterial infections. Treatment for Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease requires a blood test to detect the presence of bacteria, viruses, or mycoplasma infections. Based on the results of the test, appropriate medication is chosen. If the blood test shows a severe infection, hospitalization for observation and intravenous fluid therapy may be necessary. During treatment, a light diet should be maintained with a focus on easy-to-digest foods.