Patient's question:
Recently, I noticed that my child has developed a few ulcers in their mouth, which are so painful that they can't even eat dinner. They've also appeared on their hands and feet. The hospital diagnosed it as hand, foot, and mouth disease. Hello, what symptoms indicate the initial stage of hand, foot, and mouth disease?Doctor's answer:
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a common childhood illness caused by enteroviruses. It primarily affects children under the age of 5 and can cause blisters on the hands, feet, and mouth. In rare cases, it may lead to complications such as myocarditis, pulmonary edema, or aseptic meningitis. Most patients recover fully.Initial symptoms of hand, foot, and mouth disease include:
- Fever, usually moderate, with a temperature typically below 39°C. In severe cases, the fever may exceed 39°C.
- Rashes on the buttocks and limbs.
- Loss of appetite, with oral blisters that are prone to rupture and form ulcers.
- Different stages of the disease may lead to other complications.
Parents are advised to pay attention to their child's environment and personal hygiene. It is recommended to keep windows open frequently to ensure good ventilation and maintain a fresh indoor air flow.