Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease Fever: What to Know

This viral illness commonly affects young children. A raised temperature can be part of the body's response and may occur alongside sore throat, reduced appetite, mouth ulcers, or small spots and blisters on the hands, feet, or elsewhere. Fever alone cannot confirm the diagnosis, because many childhood infections cause a similar symptom.

The mouth lesions may make drinking uncomfortable. That matters because a child who drinks less can become dehydrated even when the fever itself is not severe.

Offer frequent small drinks and choose cool, soft foods if swallowing hurts. Let the child rest, keep clothing light, and check how they are behaving rather than focusing only on the thermometer. Use fever medicine only when appropriate for the child's age and health, following the product directions or advice from a clinician; do not give aspirin to a child.

Wash hands after toileting, changing nappies, or caring for mouth sores. Avoid sharing cups, cutlery, towels, or toothbrushes while the child is unwell.

Arrange medical advice if the child is difficult to wake, breathing unusually, repeatedly vomiting, unable to drink, passing much less urine, or showing a very dry mouth or no tears. Seek urgent help for a seizure, severe headache with a stiff neck, or a child who looks seriously unwell. Contact a clinician if fever persists, returns after improving, or you are unsure whether the illness is hand, foot and mouth disease.

Ask whether the symptoms fit hand, foot and mouth disease, how to manage painful mouth sores, which fever medicine is suitable, and when the child can return to nursery or school.