Question
What medication can accelerate recovery for a three-year-old child with hand, foot, and mouth disease? What daily care precautions should be taken? The child is currently not running a fever.
Answer
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is an infectious disease caused by enteroviruses, commonly occurring in children, especially in those under three years old. The main modes of transmission include the digestive and respiratory tracts, as well as close contact. Clinical symptoms include fever, oral ulcers, red rashes and blisters on the hands, feet, and mouth. Severe cases may lead to complications such as meningitis, encephalitis, poliomyelitis, pulmonary edema, and circulatory collapse. The cause of death is often related to brainstem encephalitis and neurogenic pulmonary edema. Due to the strong infectivity of the virus, treatment can include ribavirin for antiviral therapy, as well as Pudendan oral liquid for clearing heat and detoxification among symptomatic treatments.