Two-Year-Old Son Diagnosed with Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease on the Fourth Day, Refusing to Eat and Breathing Rapidly – Does He Need Further Treatment?

Question

My son is two years old and has been diagnosed with hand, foot, and mouth disease for four days. His body temperature is 37.4 degrees Celsius, and he hasn’t eaten for three days. He breathes heavily and rapidly, sleeps poorly, and cries and fusses. He has had a blood test, and the doctor said he’s fine. Is this a normal reaction? Could it be symptoms of pulmonary edema or encephalitis? The past treatment has not shown significant effects.

Answer

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a common childhood infectious disease that primarily affects children under five years old, causing blisters on the hands, feet, and mouth. Some patients may experience complications such as myocarditis, pulmonary edema, or aseptic meningitis. In severe cases, it can even lead to death. Commonly used medications include acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir, as well as traditional Chinese medicine. If symptoms do not improve, it is recommended to undergo further examination and treatment. Note: The content above is for illustrative purposes only and should be processed according to the original data in actual output.