All about Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease

On Sunday Oliver developed a fever later in the day. Then on Monday he developed a rash all over. Joe took him to the pediatrician and she thinks he has Hand-Foot-Mouth disease. To which, there really isn't a cure but to let it run its course. He doesn't have any mouth sores, so it might just be a viral infection.

Oliver doesn't seem to affected by it. He played with Auntie Basil both days. On Monday night though he had a terrible sleep. He didn't fall asleep until about 9:30 (he had napped from about 3 to 5 - so you know he was sick!) and woke up about every three hours or so. He ended up wanting to sleep with the lights on, which is the first time he's ever asked for that. Not sure if its temporary or if he is going to ask again.

I looked up being pregnant and the disease, and Joe asked the doctor, and there doesn't seem to be anything to worry about. I'll give my doctor a call tomorrow though to make sure.

Here is some information about it.

What is it?
Hand-foot-mouth disease is a common childhood illness featuring mouth sores, fever, and a rash. Similar-sounding “foot-and-mouth disease” is a disease of cattle and is not related to this condition.

Hand-foot-mouth disease is usually caused by a virus called coxsackievirus A16. However, many children with coxsackievirus A16 infections do not have all of the features of hand-foot-mouth disease. Some have no rash, some have no mouth sores, and some even have no fever. A variety of other viruses in the Enterovirus family can also cause hand-foot-mouth disease (the coxsackieviruses are enteroviruses).

Who gets it?
This disease is most common among young children but is seen with some frequency up until puberty. Adults can get it, but this is much less common. Once people have had coxsackievirus A16 they are generally immune, but they could get another case of hand-foot-mouth disease from one of the other, less common viruses. Most infections occur in the summer or early fall, with the peak between August and October in the northern hemisphere.

What are the symptoms?
Children with hand-foot-mouth disease usually start to feel crummy 3 to 7 days after they were exposed. Often, the first thing parents notice is their children’s decreased appetite for solids. Children may also have a fever and a sore throat. A day or two later, many children develop sores in the mouth. They begin as small red spots on the tongue, gums, or mucous membranes. They may blister or form ulcers.

A skin rash may also develop over a day or two, with flat or raised red spots. Unlike with many rashes, the spots are often found on the palms and soles. Also, it is common to have the rash on the buttocks. Often, the red spots will form tender blisters (although not on the buttocks). Unlike with chickenpox, the rash does not itch.

Usually the rash disappears and the child feels better within about 1 week.