What should you know about another name for hand, foot and mouth disease?

The illness can cause fever, sore throat, reduced appetite, and small painful spots or blisters in the mouth. A rash or blisters may appear on the hands and feet, and sometimes around the buttocks or legs. Children may drool or refuse food because mouth sores hurt.

It spreads through close contact and fluid from coughs, sneezes, blisters, or stool. The name can sound similar to diseases affecting animals, but this is a human viral infection and is not the same as foot-and-mouth disease in livestock.

Offer frequent sips of cool fluid and soft foods. Avoid acidic or spicy foods if they sting. Keep the child home according to local nursery or school guidance, wash hands carefully after nappy changes or toilet use, and avoid sharing cups, cutlery, towels, or pacifiers.

A child health clinician can assess hydration, mouth sores, and the rash. Antibiotics do not treat the virus unless a separate bacterial infection is diagnosed.

Seek urgent help if a child cannot drink, has very little urine, is unusually sleepy, has difficulty breathing, develops a seizure, or becomes rapidly worse. Arrange medical advice for a persistent fever, severe pain, a very young infant with fever, or uncertainty about the diagnosis.

Does the rash and mouth pain fit hand, foot and mouth disease? How can I maintain fluids, and which pain relief is suitable for this child? When can the child safely return to nursery or school?