Description:

• Fever usually between 100 and 102 degrees F (37.8 and 38.9 degrees C), but may be higher.
• Small, painful ulcers in the mouth.
• Sometimes small water blisters or red spots located on the palms and soles, and on the webs between the fingers and toes. This is called “hand, foot and moth disease.”
• Sometimes, small blisters or red spots on the buttocks.
• Mainly occurs in children age 6 months to 4 years.

Cause:

Caused by the Coxsackie A-16 virus. It has no relationship to hoof and mouth disease of cattle.

Expected Course:

The fever and discomfort are usually gone by day 4. The mouth ulcers resolve in 7 days, but the rash on the hands and feet can last 10 days. The only complication seen with any frequency is dehydration from refusing fluids.

Home Care:

1. Pain relief: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (motrin) may be used as directed. A topical pain killing mixture can be prescribed. For very young children, put ½ teaspoon of the mixture in the front of the mouth three times a day after meals. Children over age 4 can use 1 teaspoon of the solution as a mouthwash before meals and before bed.
2. Diet: Offer a soft diet. If necessary, use a cup instead of a bottle to give fluids to very young children. Cold drinks, milkshakes, sherbet and popsicles are good choices. Avoid citrus, salty, or spicy foods.
3. Medication: There is no cure. Give acetaminophen or ibuprofen for sever mouth pain or fever over 102 degrees F.
4. Contagiousness: Coxsackie virus is contagious the day before the symptoms start until two days after the fever has gone. Usually some of your child’s playmates will develop it at about the same time. The incubation period after contact is 3 to 7 days. Because the spread of infection is extremely difficult to prevent and the condition is relatively harmless, these children do not need prolonged isolation. They can return to school when the fever returns to normal.

Call the office during office hours if:

• The fever lasts more than 3 days.
• Your child has not urinated in more than 8 hours.
• You have other concerns or questions.