Patient's question:
What medicine should my child take for hand, foot, and mouth disease? The day before yesterday, he had a fever of over 39 degrees Celsius. He had been feverish for two consecutive days. It was said that his throat was sore and he vomited whenever he tried to eat. After examination, it was confirmed that he had hand, foot, and mouth disease. What kind of medicine should he take?Doctor's answer:
Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is an infectious disease caused by enteroviruses. There are more than 20 types (strains) of enteroviruses that can cause HFMD. Among them, Coxsackievirus A16 and Enterovirus 71 are the most common types, most commonly occurring in children under the age of 5. It is characterized by oral pain, loss of appetite, low fever, small blisters or small ulcers on the hands, feet, mouth, and other parts. HFMD is a self-limiting disease. Aerosols can be used for antiviral treatment during outbreaks.