Question
Many children in my child’s class have fallen ill with hand, foot, and mouth disease, and for the past few days, my baby has had a slight fever around 39 degrees. She started with a bit of a cough and cold, but now I’ve suddenly noticed red spots on her hands. Could my child have hand, foot, and mouth disease?
Answer
The outbreak of hand, foot, and mouth disease in your child’s class has led to some make-up classes. Moreover, the appearance of small red spots on her hands has prompted further concern. Therefore, you should closely inspect her feet and oral mucosa as well. If red spots appear there too, the likelihood of her having hand, foot, and mouth disease is relatively high. Since hand, foot, and mouth disease is a viral infection that is self-limiting, the current treatment should focus on symptomatic relief and nutritional support.