Question
My sister’s child has been running a fever recently and has taken some medication, but it doesn’t seem to work. However, I found some red spots on the child’s hands and mouth today, and the doctor said it’s hand, foot, and mouth disease.
Answer
Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) is an infectious disease caused by enteroviruses, most commonly occurring in children under the age of 5. Symptoms include mouth pain, loss of appetite, low-grade fever, and small blisters or ulcers on the hands, feet, and mouth. Most children recover within a week or so on their own, although some may experience complications such as myocarditis, pulmonary edema, or meningitis. Currently, there is no effective symptomatic medication available, so it is still recommended to actively treat and manage the symptoms.