Question
Are these the early symptoms of hand, foot, and mouth disease?
Answer
The early symptoms of hand, foot, and mouth disease include fever, cough, runny nose, and drooling. Some children may also experience nausea and vomiting. Affected children usually start with a fever, which can vary in intensity. Some may not have a fever at all, but most have a low-grade fever. Symptoms often include drooling, mouth pain, throat pain, and anorexia. In the mouth, the main characteristic is hand, foot, and mouth blisters. Blisters can be found on the lips, tongue, oral mucosa, and gums. They break quickly, forming grayish spots or films. The surrounding area is red and swollen, with visible spots or patchy erosions. If a baby has no other symptoms, it is usually not hand, foot, and mouth disease.