Patient's question:
Last night I noticed white particles in the baby's mouth, and they keep drooling non-stop. They're not eating and are very fussy, not sleeping either. No particles were found on their hands or feet.Doctor's answer:
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a contagious illness that primarily affects children under the age of 3, with higher incidence during summer and autumn. The virus spreads through airborne droplets from the oral and pharyngeal secretions of infected individuals or healthy carriers, or through saliva and fecal contamination of hands and toys. The illness typically begins with 1-3 days of low fever, followed by symptoms such as oral and pharyngeal pain or upper respiratory infection. The next day, red macules appear on the palms and soles, which then develop into small vesicles. After 2-4 days, these vesicles dry and form crusts. Around the same time or shortly after the rash, red spots and small vesicles may appear inside the mouth, on the lips, cheeks, soft palate, and tongue margins. These vesicles are prone to rupture, forming erosions. The child may drool, become irritable, and refuse food. With timely treatment and no complications, the illness typically resolves within 7-10 days.The white specks in your baby's mouth could be oral thrush (candidiasis), but a medical examination is necessary for a definitive diagnosis.