Question

My son’s classmate got Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease and took a leave of absence to go home. I knew it was bad, but three to four days later, my child also showed symptoms of the disease. I quickly brought the child back to rest and recover. How to treat Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease? Now a third of the students in my child’s class have the disease and school has been suspended.

Answer

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease is one of the most common intestinal infectious diseases, primarily spread through contact with the patient’s bodily fluids. Most patients experience mild symptoms, such as fever, cough, and sore throat, similar to the common cold, accompanied by blisters and ulcers on the hands, feet, and mouth. A few children may develop severe complications such as viral pneumonia and encephalitis, which can be life-threatening. Therefore, proper treatment for Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease is essential. Here are some common treatment methods for Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease:

  1. Symptomatic Treatment: Relieving symptoms to improve patient comfort. For example, using antipyretic drugs to lower body temperature and gargling with antiseptic mouthwashes to alleviate pain from oral ulcers.
  2. Diet Adjustment: It is recommended that patients drink plenty of water and consume soft, easily digestible foods. Avoid spicy and stimulating foods to reduce pain from oral ulcers and promote recovery.
  3. Rest and Recovery: Patients should rest adequately, avoid strenuous exercise, maintain good sleep patterns, enhance immunity, which aids in recovery from the disease.
  4. Preventive Measures: The transmission of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease mainly occurs through contact with the patient’s bodily fluids. Therefore, maintaining good personal hygiene habits such as frequent hand washing, regular disinfection, and avoiding sharing utensils with patients can effectively prevent the spread of the disease. It should be noted that there is currently no specific drug to cure Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease; treatment mainly involves symptomatic care and supportive measures. In case of severe symptoms or complications, seek medical attention promptly and follow the guidance of professional doctors for treatment. I hope this information is helpful to you. Wishing your child a swift recovery!