Question
Recently, a parent has noticed that their child is experiencing a fever and complains of mouth pain, refusing to eat. Upon examination, two larger ulcers are found in the child’s mouth. The parent wants to know if these symptoms indicate that the child has hand, foot, and mouth disease?
Answer
The main symptoms of hand, foot, and mouth disease include rashes on the palms, soles, and inside the mouth. Although the ulcers in the child’s mouth may be related to hand, foot, and mouth disease, this symptom alone does not confirm the diagnosis. Considering that the child has been running a fever for several days, it is recommended to undergo a routine blood test for an accurate diagnosis. If confirmed to be a bacterial infection, appropriate anti-infection treatment should be administered; if it is a viral infection, traditional Chinese medicine for clearing heat and detoxification can be used for symptomatic treatment.