Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

Condition

Usually caused by coxsackievirus A16, also enterovirus 71 and others; incubation 3–6 days. Affects young children, more common in summer. Adults can also be affected.

Clinical features

Classic triad: fever + blisters on hands/feet + mouth ulcers. Small flat blisters progress to painful ulcers in the mouth, palate, and pharynx. Lesions on the dorsal/palmar hands and feet progress from flat pink patches to small, elongated greyish blisters, peeling within a week without scarring. Red macules/papules can also appear on the buttocks, arms, and genitalia. Mild fever; poor oral intake due to pain.

Management

Clinical diagnosis. Keep blisters clean, non-adherent dressings on erosions; maintain fluid intake; antiseptic mouthwash and topical/oral analgesics for oral ulcer pain. Blisters remain infective until dried (usually a few days); stools remain infective for up to a month — thorough hand-washing reduces spread.