What to Do When a Child Has Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease with Low Fever

Question

My child has hand, foot, and mouth disease. The mouth ulcers have healed, but they have a low fever today. What should I do?

Answer

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease is an infectious disease caused by enteroviruses, with common virus types including Coxsackievirus A16 and Enterovirus 71. When a child has a fever below 38.5 degrees Celsius, you can use ibuprofen to reduce the fever and take physical cooling measures. Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease typically resolves well, with the entire course lasting about 5 to 10 days, and most patients recover. However, the disease can cause significant harm to children, so once family members notice any related symptoms in their child, they should take the child to a regular hospital for immediate medical attention. At the same time, pay attention to the child’s diet. It is recommended to eat a light diet and avoid consuming irritating food. We hope the child can receive effective treatment and accelerate the recovery process.