Question
A child played with unsavory individuals outside and was infected with hand, foot, and mouth disease. Besides a slight fever, is it necessary for hand, foot, and mouth disease to always cause fever? If a child with hand, foot, and mouth disease has a low fever, does it mean the illness is healing? How can a child’s low fever be relieved?
Answer
Children with hand, foot, and mouth disease may sometimes have a fever, but not everyone will experience it. Symptoms can vary depending on the individual’s constitution. If your child has hand, foot, and mouth disease with a low fever, it is recommended to measure their temperature. If it is below 38 degrees Celsius, you can administer oral fever-reducing medication or use a fever-reducing injection. You can also take oral antiviral medication and apply antiviral ointment externally. Make sure to give your child plenty of plain water to drink and encourage them to eat more vegetables and fruits while reducing the intake of greasy and spicy foods. Try to avoid taking your child to crowded places. Keep the indoor air circulating at all times and maintain good hygiene by washing the child’s hands and feet with soap and water daily.