Is Hand, Foot And Mouth Disease Contagious?

Posted on Fri, 7 Oct 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 7 Oct 2016 Answered on

Tue, 15 Nov 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : HI! my 16 month old has been very fuzzy all day, barely drank anything during the day ( about 5-6 diapers) she has had a fever between 102- 103 through out the day. been alternating motrin and tylenol but she's is extremely fuzzy, and crying for 1.5 hrs straight and her oldest sister was diagnosed with hand and foot disease several days ago. She is also teething (drooling a lot). What should we do?

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Continue giving Motrin/Ibuprofen.Be patient.Give tepid sponging.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on Healthcaremagic.

Most often fevers in children is due to viral cause. Hand, foot and mouth disease is caused due to a viral infection. Since one of your daughters have such an infection, it is highly likely that her younger sibling has the same. You need not worry. Usually such infections resolve in 5-7 days on their own. The treatment is supportive. You need to give paracetamol or acetaminophen as required (to bring down temperature). Also give tepid sponging.

Be patient. However, if the child seems lethargic it might be a good idea to visit a doctor and to get the child evaluated.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (11 hours later)

thank you! what about her not eating, because her glands are full of sores. what can we use to numb the mouth pain?

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Vitamin supplements need to be given.

Detailed Answer:
The mouth sores are likely to indicate vitamin B deficiency. You need to give A to Z Drops (or any other vitamin drops) 1 ml once daily for next few days. Also use Zytee lotion inside his mouth for numbing the mouth pain.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar