Question

Our child has been diagnosed with hand, foot, and mouth disease by a doctor, with positive IgM antibodies for Coxsackie virus type CA16 and Enterovirus 71. The child is in good spirits, but due to oral pain, appetite is low. The diet mainly consists of pork soup, soy milk, and a small amount of milk, with difficulty in eating congee. At night, the oral pain worsens, with occasional drooling and crying. Is this disease severe? Do they need hospitalization? What kind of food can the child eat? Do they need to go to the hospital for intravenous fluid treatment?

Answer

I’m glad to provide you with an answer. Has your child been vaccinated against hand, foot, and mouth disease? Vaccination can also lead to the production of antibodies. Based on your description, your child has been diagnosed with hand, foot, and mouth disease. If the child does not have a fever and is in good spirits, hospitalization is not necessary. For the pain caused by oral blisters, throat lozenges and oral antiviral medications can be used for treatment. The diet should consist of light and easily digestible foods, avoiding greasy, extremely cold, spicy, and other irritating foods, and drinking plenty of water. In addition, isolation for two weeks is recommended to prevent transmission.