Does a Child with Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Need Hospitalization?

Question

Several children in the kindergarten have been diagnosed with hand, foot, and mouth disease and have been absent from school. I’m worried that my child might also be infected. If my child gets hand, foot, and mouth disease, will they need to be hospitalized? What are the typical symptoms of this disease? How should treatment be carried out?

Answer

The need for hospitalization for hand, foot, and mouth disease depends on the severity of the condition. Severe cases require hospital treatment, while mild cases are self-healing and do not require special treatment, but do require enhanced care and isolation. Severe cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease may lead to serious complications such as pulmonary hemorrhage, respiratory failure, and encephalitis, therefore necessitating hospital treatment.