Does Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Always Come with Fever Symptoms?

Question

The child has had a poor appetite since yesterday and has one or two red blisters on their hands. They had a fever of 38.5 degrees last night, which subsided after taking a fever-reducing medicine. Their appetite is still okay. There are red blisters on both sides of the mouth, but none on the tongue. Since yesterday morning, the doctor suspected it was Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease. Past treatment and its effectiveness: requested hospitalization. I want to know if Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease always comes with fever symptoms?

Answer

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease can be accompanied by fever, but it may also not be. Typically, it manifests first with upper respiratory symptoms, followed by rashes. The characteristic rash of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease is easily recognizable, appearing as maculopapular or vesicular rashes with minimal fluid in the blisters and a surrounding erythema. The rashes usually appear on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, buttocks, and mucous membranes in the mouth. Clinical diagnosis may differ from laboratory diagnosis cases, with laboratory diagnosis cases generally considered standard. If the child’s condition is poor, hospitalization is best; if it’s manageable, treatment can be received on an outpatient basis.