How long does fever last with hand, foot and mouth disease?

Fever may come before mouth ulcers or spots and can occur with tiredness, sore throat and reduced appetite. The temperature trend matters alongside behaviour, drinking and breathing. A child who becomes more comfortable, drinks and regains energy as the fever settles is showing a more reassuring pattern. Fever returning after improvement, or symptoms that do not fit, can have another cause such as a respiratory infection, so avoid assuming every new fever is part of the same illness.

Offer regular fluids and let the child rest in light clothing in a comfortable room. Check on responsiveness, drinking and urination rather than focusing only on the thermometer. Use age-appropriate fever relief only as directed on the label or by a clinician; do not give aspirin to children. Cool, soft foods may be easier when mouth ulcers hurt, and handwashing helps limit spread.

Contact a clinician when fever lasts longer than expected, returns after settling, or is paired with worsening mouth pain, poor drinking, very little urine, unusual sleepiness or persistent vomiting. Seek urgent care for breathing difficulty, a seizure, a stiff neck, a child who is difficult to wake, or any rapidly worsening illness. Depending on the symptoms, other conditions such as [Acute Bronchitis](/conditions/acute-bronchitis/), [Bronchiolitis](/conditions/bronchiolitis/), [Chickenpox](/conditions/chickenpox/) or [Croup](/conditions/croup/) may need consideration.

Ask how to measure and record the temperature, which medicine is suitable, and what fever pattern should prompt reassessment. Tell the clinician when the fever began, whether it improved, how much the child drinks, and whether breathing or alertness has changed.