Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common viral infection in children under the age of 5, which is usually more common in the warm seasons of the year (summer and autumn). Although the disease is often mild, it can cause discomfort to the child and concern to the parents. class="">Change**🦠 the cause of the disease** - **Main agent:** Enterovirus family viruses (mainly Coxsackie A16 and Enterovirus 71) - **Transfer way:** - Direct contact with nasal secretions, saliva or feces of an infected person Contact with contaminated surfaces - Respiratory droplets (sneezing and coughing) **👶 Disease symptoms in children ** ### **Initial symptoms (first 1-3 days):** - Mild to moderate fever (38-39 degrees) - Sore throat - Loss of appetite - Lethargy and impatience ### **main symptoms (emergence after 1-2 days):** - **Oral lesions:** Small and painful sores in the mouth, tongue and gums - **Rashes:** Red seeds or small blisters on the palms, feet and sometimes the buttocks Restlessness and irritability ** 🩺 disease diagnosis ** - It is usually done based on **clinical examination** by a doctor - In special cases, a **throat or stool sample** test may be required **💊 treatment and care at home ** ### **1... control of fever and pain:** - Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen (by doctor's prescription) - Wash with lukewarm water for high fever ### **2.... reduction of mouth pain:** - Using numbing gels for the mouth - Cold drinks (cold milk, diluted water) - Avoiding sour, salty or spicy foods ### **3... Prevention of dehydration:** - Giving fluids in small and frequent amounts - Using ORS solution if needed ### **4.... Skin care:** - Gentle washing with soap and water Avoid blisters **🍏 Proper nutrition during illness ** - Soft and cold foods such as mashed potatoes, yogurt and pudding - Ice cream without added sweets - lukewarm soup (not hot) **🚫 When should we see a doctor?** - High fever (more than 39 degrees) for more than 3 days - Dehydration symptoms (not urinating for more than 8 hours, crying without tears) - Neck stiffness or unusual sleepiness - Convulsions **🛡️ ways of prevention ** 1 .... **Frequent washing of hands** with soap and water 2. Disinfection of surfaces and toys 3 .... **Separation of the sick child** from other children 4.... **Avoid kissing the child** when sick 5 .... **No common use** of food containers **📌 period of illness and recovery** - Illness period: usually 7-10 days - Contagious period: the highest prevalence in the first week of the disease - Immunity: infection with a type of virus does not create permanent immunity **⚠️ Possible side effects (rare)** - Severe dehydration - Viral meningitis - Encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) - Cardiac involvement **💡 Key tips for parents ** The disease usually heals on its own The child should not go to kindergarten or school until he is fully recovered Blisters may take 10 to 14 days to heal completely After recovery, the virus may remain in the stool for several weeks **📋 Conclusion ** Although FMD is annoying, it is usually not dangerous....with **proper home care, fever and pain control, and prevention of dehydration**, a child can be helped to get through the disease process more easily....If warning signs are observed, be sure to consult a pediatrician....This general information is a limited summary of diagnostic, therapeutic and/or drug information....It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or evaluate potential diagnostic and treatment options.. It does not contain all information about conditions, treatments, drugs, side effects or risks that may apply to a particular patient.... It is intended and desirable that medical advice or a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment should be based on the doctor's discussion and assessment unique to the patient's examination... complete information about their health, medical questions and treatment options, including the risks or benefits of using drugs... This information does not endorse any treatment or drug as safe, effective or approved for the treatment of a particular patient... Dr. Mehdi Afshari has no guarantee or responsibility in this regard, I deny the information or its use. * Among the medical services provided in the clinic are periodic examinations of children, periodic monitoring of children's growth and physical development, treatment of various infectious, digestive and respiratory diseases in children and adolescents, nutritional counseling, education and periodic care of premature babies, monitoring and treatment of all periodic problems during infancy, periodic mental and physical evaluation of children. > > *special services of Dr. Mehdi Afshari: specialized office circumcision, home visit and online consultation* > > *Practice address: No. 193, South Mehrabad, Southern Air University, Tafarsh East, Tehran > > *Contact number: 021-66602506*