Hand, foot and mouth disease is the most common cause of mouth sores in children, primarily in the age group from six months to three years old. It is caused by a group of viruses called enteroviruses, most commonly, the coxsackievirus A16. Not to be confused with the foot and mouth disease that affects cattle, sheep, and swine, it is a fairly mild illness that usually resolves itself within seven to ten days.
Most parents notice that the onset of this disease is heralded by a fever, which is followed by a sore throat, fussiness, and loss of appetite. Sores in the mouth and throat come next and are characterized by white or red blisters covering the tongue, throat and the inside of the cheeks. Excessive drooling may occur due to the discomfort associated with swallowing. The blisters in the throat lead many to believe that the child is suffering from strep throat.
After the rash erupts in the mouth, it moves on to the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. The rash may be raised or flat and may include blisters. Because different children respond differently to illnesses, the rash can either be highly visible or barely make a mark.
Thankfully, the rash associated with hand, foot and mouth disease is usually not itchy when the condition occurs in children, although the blisters in the mouth make it uncomfortable to eat and drink. The virus is fairly contagious and spread through person-to-person contact, respiratory secretions, stool and broken blisters. The incubation period is three to seven days, and the affected child is usually contagious before the fever begins. This makes it difficult to stop the spread, because parents do not know that their child is infected until it’s too late. Proper handwashing is the most effective means to slow the spread of the disease.
Once a child has been exposed, he or she develops immunity to the virus and will most likely not experience a recurrence. Most infections occur during the summer and early fall, and breakouts tend to cluster around daycare centers and schools due to the high transference of germs among children. Pregnant women who have never been exposed to the virus may have cause for concern; if they pass it to their infant, there is a slight chance of the child developing serious infections that affect the organs.
There are blood tests available to diagnose hand, foot and mouth disease, but due to the long waiting period, they are rarely used. Due to the viral nature of the disease, antibiotics are ineffective, so the symptoms are treated while waiting for the rash to resolve itself. Pain relievers such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen are effective for the fever and pain, and antihistamines can be used to treat the rash.
