Patient's question:
My niece is 5 years old. A couple of days ago, she had a slight cough and runny nose, which we thought was a cold, so we gave her some cold medicine and didn't take her to the hospital. This morning, I noticed many blisters in her mouth and on her hands. Could this be hand, foot, and mouth disease? Can hand, foot, and mouth disease heal on its own without medication?Doctor's answer:
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is caused by enterovirus infection. It often manifests on the hands, feet, mouth, and buttocks, appearing as red spots, and can also cause fever in babies. It is recommended to first go to the hospital for a blood test and chest X-ray, then receive standard treatment based on the test results. If it affects the heart, an enzyme test for the heart muscle may be necessary. If this disease is not treated promptly, the consequences can be severe. Therefore, it is essential to receive standard treatment at the hospital.