Question
What should be done if a child is diagnosed with hand, foot, and mouth disease but does not have a fever?
Answer
Patients with hand, foot, and mouth disease may not experience fever symptoms in the early stages of the illness. The disease usually starts suddenly with a fever of about 38°C, and some children may have symptoms similar to the common cold, such as coughing and runny nose. Severe cases may be accompanied by serious complications such as encephalitis, acute flaccid paralysis, heart failure, pulmonary edema, or pulmonary hemorrhage. It is recommended that if a child shows discomfort, they should seek medical attention for examination and treatment as advised by the doctor.