BABY
Écrit par
Dr. Harvey Karp
PARTAGER CET ARTICLE
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Hand-foot-mouth disease (HFM) sounds pretty gross (and kind of scary), but know that it is actually a fairly common viral infection that is not super serious. In fact, most kids get better within 10 days with little to no medical treatment. But it is still not a pleasant ordeal for a child to go through! And because it is contagious, it tends to spread quickly in crèches and schools, so being on top of the situation is a must.
The quick and dirty is this: Hand-foot-mouth is caused by a group of viruses called enteroviruses. Coxsackievirus A16 is the most common virus that causes HFM. Kids under 5 years old are the most susceptible, but it can affect older children and adults as well. There are typically more outbreaks in the summer and fall.
It takes three to six days for a child with hand-foot-mouth disease to show symptoms after exposure.
Symptoms last about a week. FYI: After a week or two, the skin on your child's hand and feet might peel. This is totally normal and nothing to be concerned about.
Hand-foot-mouth disease is easily spread through direct contact from other infected people, whether a grownup or a child. That means an infected person can spread the virus via respiratory droplets when they cough, sneeze, or even just talk. It also means that you or your child could become infected by touching toys or other objects that are contaminated with the virus. For instance, if your kid plays with a truck where the virus sits, then puts his hands in his mouth or rubs his eyes, he will introduce the virus into his body.
The virus can also be transmitted by faecal contact. (Yes, it is icky, but it is a common thing with kids, especially those who are toilet training or are still newbies to the potty.) If a sick child has unwashed hands and plays with toys, other children could get sick by playing with those toys and putting those objects or their hands in their mouths. Adults are not immune, either: Changing nappies without washing your hands is another way to contract the virus.
Finally, the fluid from HFM blisters and scabs can cause transmission, too. Say, your child gives a big hug to her nursery school buddy who is infected. She may touch a sore and get sick. All of the above is why crèches, paediatrician offices, and schools can be sources of such rapid infection—and why it is so important to practise good hand-washing and disinfecting methods.
While kids are more contagious while they have blisters and mouth ulcers, their stool can be contagious for up to a few months. Having said that, official guidance is that kids can still go to school as long as they are not feeling unwell.
Usually, hand-foot-mouth disease goes away on its own in seven to 10 days. Good thing, because there is no medicine for it! The best you can do is help make your child more comfortable.
Your health care provider may advise:
First you want to make sure you are dealing with hand-foot-mouth disease and not a more serious cause of blistering. For example:
Dehydration is the most common complication of HFM (thanks to painful mouth sores that make swallowing difficult). Signs of dehydration include:
If you suspect dehydration, immediately speak with your healthcare provider or go to the hospital to be checked.
Always call your paediatrician if you have ANY concerns about your child’s health. Here are a few additional reasons to reach out for your provider’s advice:
Avertissement : Les informations présentes sur notre site ne constituent PAS des conseils médicaux pour une personne ou une condition spécifique. Elles sont uniquement destinées à titre d'information générale. Si vous avez des questions médicales et des préoccupations concernant votre enfant ou vous-même, veuillez contacter votre fournisseur de soins de santé. Le lait maternel est la meilleure source de nutrition pour les bébés. Il est important que, en préparation et pendant l'allaitement, les mères adoptent une alimentation saine et équilibrée. La combinaison de l'allaitement au sein et au biberon dans les premières semaines de vie peut réduire la production de lait maternel de la mère et il est difficile de revenir sur la décision de ne pas allaiter. Si vous décidez d'utiliser une préparation pour nourrissons, vous devez suivre les instructions avec soin.
