Hand, foot and mouth disease | Dr Ruhil Badiani | Dubai

Dr Ruhil Badiani, Family GP Dubai explains Hand, foot and mouth disease

What causes hand foot and mouth disease?

Hand, foot and mouth disease is caused by a virus. Different types of virus from the human enterovirus A (HEVA) group of viruses can cause the disease, most commonly, the Coxsackie virus A16. It is affects mostly under 10’s, but adults and older children can also get the disease.

How is hand, foot and mouth disease spread?

Hand, foot and mouth disease is spread in 3 ways: by droplets from coughs and sneezes, by saliva and the fluid from blisters, and finally, by an infected persons faeces. The symptoms normally appear 3-5 days after you have been exposed to the virus.

What are the symptoms and how long do they last?

The first symptoms that appear are:

• Feeling generally unwell
• High temperature (fever), usually around 38-39C (100.4-102.2F)
• Loss of appetite
• Cough
• Sore throat and mouth
• Tummy pain

After one or 2 days red spots appear on the tongue and inside the mouth, which then develop into ulcers with grey-yellow centres and a red edge. They can be painful, make eating and swallowing difficult and last around a week.

Soon after the mouth ulcers appear you’ll notice a red rash on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. This rash may turn into blisters with a grey centre. These can be itchy and uncomfortable, lasting for around 10 days.

Do I need to see a doctor?

There is no treatment for hand, foot and mouth disease. However there are a few things which may relieve symptoms and keep you or your child comfortable:

• Drink plenty to avoid dehydration
• Eat soft foods and avoid acidic or spicy foods while you have mouth ulcers
• Take paracetamol or ibuprofen as needed for discomfort and temperature
• Use mouth gels, rinses or sprays for mouth ulcers, or gargle with warm salty water

If you are concerned or you or your children have any of the following then it is important to seek medical advice:

• Dehydration – lethargy, refusing to drink, passing little or no urine, unresponsiveness
• Seizures due to high temperature
• If your child is under 3 months and has a temperature of 38 or between 3 and 6 months and has a temperature of 39
• The skin becomes red, painful or swollen, or there is a discharge of pus
• Your symptoms are getting worse or haven’t improved after 7-10 days

Is there anything I can do to prevent the spread of hand, foot and mouth disease?

• Stay off work, school or nursery until you feel better as long as you are, otherwise there is no need to wait until the last blister has healed
• Use a tissue and cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing
• Wash your hands thoroughly after coughing, sneezing and using the toilet
• Avoid sharing cups, towels, utensils with affected people
• Disinfect surfaces that could be contaminated
• Wash any bedding or clothing that could be contaminated separately and using higher temperature of water

Can I get hand, foot and mouth disease more than once?

You will develop immunity to the particular virus you contacted. However, you could be infected by another virus within the HEVA group of viruses which cause hand, foot and mouth disease.

Dr Ruhil Badiani is a family GP from the UK, based at Cornerstone Clinic, with 10 years experience with the NHS, and a graduate of Guys’s and Thomas’ Medial School London.

For an appointment with Dr Ruhil Badiani, please call or what’s app Cornerstone Clinic on +971 50494 6377.

27 April 2024