What is Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease? Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Children, whose immune systems are not yet sufficiently strong, are at a higher risk of contracting certain viral infections. This risk increases in crowded places, such as daycare centers and schools. Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a common infection among children, but it can also spread to adults. In adults, due to stronger immunity, symptoms may not appear. However, although it usually presents with mild symptoms in children, it can cause serious health issues.

What is Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease?

This disease causes ulcers in the mouth or around the mouth. It can also cause symptoms outside the mouth, such as on the hands, feet, and legs. It spreads through contact among both children and adults. Maintaining cleanliness and proper hygiene significantly helps prevent the disease. Good personal hygiene is essential to prevent the spread of hand, foot, and mouth disease. The red lesions that develop appear as blisters. If someone comes into contact with these blisters for any reason, they must wash their hands immediately. People of all ages can contract this disease, but children under the age of 5 are at a higher risk. Additionally, the chances of transmission are higher in the summer and fall. The treatment duration can be less than two weeks or longer, but in some cases, it can lead to serious issues like meningitis in children.

What Are the Symptoms of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease?

Symptoms begin to appear 3 to 6 days after the infection enters the body. During this time, the disease is still in its early stages. The symptoms usually start as small red spots in the back of the mouth that can turn into blisters and ulcers. Within one or two days, a red, sometimes blistering rash can develop on the palms and soles of the feet, and it may also appear on the knees, elbows, buttocks, or genital area. Not everyone exhibits all of these symptoms. Some people, especially adults, may not show any symptoms but can still spread the virus to others. After fever development, characteristic blisters and rashes appear. The rash typically consists of flat red spots. Lesions may appear on all surfaces of the hands and feet. In rare cases, the virus can affect the brain and spinal cord, causing more serious symptoms like seizures, confusion, instability, and fatigue. The symptoms are as follows:

• Increased fever
• Loss of appetite
• Sore throat
• Mouth sores filled with fluid
• Skin rashes
• Swelling on the hands, feet, and arms
• Increased salivation

What Are the Causes of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease?

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a viral infection caused by a virus known as Coxsackievirus. Coxsackievirus belongs to a virus family called enteroviruses. In some cases, other types of enteroviruses may also cause this disease. These viruses typically spread through the mouth and anus. The virus is commonly present in the saliva, mucus, stool, and blister fluid of an infected person. Children under the age of 10, especially those under 5, are at the highest risk of contracting this disease because their immune systems have not yet developed the antibodies to fight the disease. Additionally, factors like malnutrition or other existing illnesses can weaken the immune system, making the person more susceptible to the infection.

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Contagiousness

Viruses can easily spread from person to person. The viruses that cause hand, foot, and mouth disease are common and particularly affect children with weak immune systems. It can spread quickly and easily, especially among children in households. Many adults, including pregnant women, usually contract the disease without showing symptoms. Serious outbreaks can occur in childcare and educational environments. The first week of the illness is typically the most contagious period. However, infected individuals continue to spread the virus through respiratory secretions (such as saliva, mucus, and feces) for 1-3 weeks after the infection begins, and for several weeks through their stools. The skin blisters remain contagious until they dry up and no fluid is left inside. The virus can be transmitted through the following means:

• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Saliva
• Mucus
• Feces

Diagnosis of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

Doctors typically diagnose hand, foot, and mouth disease through a physical examination. The doctor looks for characteristics that differentiate this disease from other viral infections. The patient's age is often under 10 years, and symptoms include fever and a sore throat. Within two or three days, small red sores appear inside the mouth and then on the palms and soles of the feet. Sometimes, laboratory tests may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis. Doctors may look for specific antibodies or viral material in the blood or send throat and stool samples to the laboratory for examination. If the doctor suspects meningitis in severe cases, a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) may be performed to examine cerebrospinal fluid in the lab.

Treatment of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

If any symptoms are present, especially in children, it is essential to see a doctor immediately. During the treatment process, it is also important to avoid crowded areas. There is no medication that can treat or cure hand, foot, and mouth disease. Therefore, the only thing parents can do is manage the fever and pain under medical supervision. For children over 1 year old, doctors may prescribe liquid oral medications to alleviate the pain from mouth ulcers. Additionally, children with hand, foot, and mouth disease need to drink plenty of fluids. Since the fluid inside the blisters is contagious, they should not be intentionally popped. Painful mouth sores can make some children reluctant to swallow liquids, so it is crucial to ensure that young children drink enough fluids. If dehydration occurs due to prolonged lack of fluid intake, emergency intervention is necessary to prevent dehydration problems

Prevention of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

There is no vaccine to prevent hand, foot, and mouth disease. The virus can continue to spread through feces even after the blisters heal. As with all contagious diseases, personal hygiene is critical for prevention. Children with hand, foot, and mouth disease should be kept away from school until their blisters have dried, and their redness and fever have subsided. During this time, they should also avoid activities and places where they might come into contact with others, such as playgrounds and classes. It is crucial to maintain good hygiene, especially during actions like taking children to the bathroom or changing diapers. If someone with hand, foot, and mouth disease shares a home, separate eating and drinking utensils should be used, and personal hygiene items and clothes should not be shared. Dirty clothes, surfaces, and toys should be thoroughly cleaned. To prevent the disease, the following precautions should be taken:

• Wash hands after using the toilet.
• Do not drink from the same cup or bottle.
• Do not share personal hygiene items.
• Use the elbow or a tissue instead of hands when sneezing.
• Wash hands before and after meals.

It may not always be easy to protect children from common diseases, but hygiene education during this time is crucial. If children develop fever and red bumps, seek medical assistance at the nearest health facility as soon as possible. Also, interactions with others should be limited during this period.