Hand - Foot - Mouth Disease in children: how to recognize and prevent

The article was written by Dr. Le Thu Phuong - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Ha Long International Hospital

Signs of hand - foot - mouth disease in children are easy to recognize, including:
Fever: low fever or high fever. A high fever that cannot be lowered is a warning sign of serious illness. Skin lesions: Redness, blisters in special locations such as the throat, around the mouth, palms, soles, buttocks, knees... Some children may have mouth sores, stop eating, vomiting, increased salivation, diarrhea, fatigue, fussiness... When detecting that a child has an illness, the family should take the child to a medical facility, especially a pediatric infectious disease specialist, for advice. Learn more about how to care for, monitor and detect worsening symptoms, promptly treat, and avoid unfortunate consequences.
Signs of serious illness
Persistent crying, even crying all night without sleep (wasting up every 15-20 minutes, crying): Many parents often explain that the baby has painful nodules. mouth, but it's not. It is due to neurotoxicity at a very early stage. High fever does not go down - above 38.5 degrees Celsius for more than 48 hours and does not respond to paracetamol: The inflammatory response processes are very strong in the body, causing neurotoxicity. At this time, it is necessary to use a more special antipyretic drug - that is, preparations with Ibuprofen. Startle: This is a sign of neurotoxicity. Watch for this symptom even while the child is playing, and see if the frequency of startles increases over time.

Foot - hand - mouth disease can be caused by many viruses and there is no specific treatment.
Damage to the oral mucosa causes pain, makes children eat poorly, can lead to hypoglycemia. Treatment measures that parents can perform at home (as prescribed by the doctor):
Use pain relievers, antiseptic mouth mucosal such as 0.9% saline, Kamistad... Feed the child liquid, easy-to-digest foods such as diluted porridge, milk, etc. Skin hygiene to avoid bacterial superinfection: bathe children with mild antiseptic water such as tea leaves, spinach leaves...Use Betadin solution Apply to skin lesions after bathing.

Wash hands often with soap under running water several times a day (both adults and children), especially before preparing food, before eating/feeding, before holding children, after go to the toilet, after changing diapers and cleaning the baby. Practice good food hygiene: eat well, drink well; eating utensils must be washed before use (preferably soaked in boiling water); ensure the use of clean water in daily activities; do not give food to children; do not let children eat, suck, suck on toys; do not allow children to share napkins, handkerchiefs, eating utensils such as cups, bowls, plates, spoons, toys... Regularly clean surfaces and daily contact tools such as toys and school tools. training, doorknobs, stair handrails, table/chair tops, floors with soap or common cleaning agents. Do not allow children to come into contact with sick or suspected sick people. Isolate sick children at home. Do not go to kindergartens, schools, where children play in the first 10-14 days of illness. Regardless, do not be subjective, when you see your child showing the above signs, take your child to a medical facility for examination and specific instructions.
Children in the period from 6 months to 3 years old are very susceptible to respiratory problems, respiratory infections, skin diseases and gastrointestinal infections... parents need special attention attention to the care and provision of adequate nutrition for children. The pediatric department at Vinmec International General Hospital is the address for receiving and examining diseases that infants and young children are susceptible to: viral fever, bacterial fever, otitis media, pneumonia in children. With a sterile space, minimizing the impact as well as the risk of disease spread, Vinmec has a general examination in conjunction with a nutritionist to develop separate menus for children. (if necessary), leading specialists will help diagnose and treat hand, foot and mouth disease effectively, preventing complications.
Vinmec International General Hospital with a system of modern facilities, medical equipment and a team of experts and doctors with many years of experience in medical examination and treatment, parents can rest assured to visit Examination and treatment of hand, foot and mouth disease for children at the Hospital.