How is hand, foot and mouth disease different in children?

Hand, foot and mouth disease is a viral illness that commonly affects young children. A child may first seem feverish, tired, or less interested in food, followed by painful spots or ulcers inside the mouth. Small red spots or blisters can appear on the palms, fingers, soles, and sometimes the buttocks, legs, or arms. The rash may not be identical on both sides, and some children have mainly mouth symptoms. Children can spread the virus through saliva, fluid from blisters, stool, and contaminated surfaces, including after they begin to feel better.

Offer frequent small drinks, cool fluids, and soft foods if swallowing hurts. Avoid acidic, spicy, or very salty foods that sting mouth sores. Encourage handwashing after toileting or nappy changes and before preparing food; clean frequently touched surfaces and do not share cups, utensils, towels, or toothbrushes. Keep blisters clean and avoid picking them. Use only child-appropriate pain or fever medicine according to the label and a clinician’s advice. Keep the child home while feverish or too unwell for normal activities, following nursery or school guidance.

Contact a clinician if mouth pain prevents drinking, urine becomes unusually infrequent, the child is very sleepy, or fever persists or returns. Seek urgent help for breathing difficulty, a seizure, confusion, a stiff neck, severe headache, or signs of significant dehydration such as a dry mouth with marked weakness. Medical review is also sensible if blisters become increasingly red, swollen, painful, or ooze pus. Infants, children with weakened immunity, and children with other serious conditions may need earlier advice.

Ask how to recognise dehydration, which pain relief is suitable for your child’s age and health, and when the child can return to school or nursery. Ask how long to avoid shared items, how to care for a blister, and whether another rash or illness needs consideration.