Question
What are the symptoms of pediatric hand, foot, and mouth disease?
Answer
Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease usually does not show any symptoms before onset. Most children suddenly become ill with a fever around 38°C, and some may also have symptoms like coughing and runny nose, similar to a cold. The disease presents acutely with fever, followed by the appearance of maculopapular rashes on the palms and soles of the feet. Rashes may also appear on the knees, buttocks, and perianal area, with inflammatory erythema around them and less purulent fluid in the blisters. The oral mucosa may also develop scattered blisters, which are quite painful. Some children may also experience symptoms like coughing, runny nose, loss of appetite, nausea, dry heaving, and headache. After 12 days of fever, rashes may start to appear again, usually on the palms and soles of the feet, and sometimes on the buttocks as well.