Managing hand-foot-mouth disease in children: More of counseling, less of medicines

Abstract

ABSTRACT Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a clinical syndrome characterized by a febrile illness, followed by an oral exanthema and a macular, maculopapular, or vesicular rash of the hands, also involving palms, feet, and buttocks caused by enteroviruses of the picornaviridae family. It is a benign self-limiting disease which spreads by fecal–oral, oral–oral, and respiratory droplet contact. This case series describes cases of HFMD, presenting with typical clinical features in the North Indian region where early diagnosis and management of the condition can be carried out to halt the disease progression and prevention for the betterment of children. We came across four cases of HFMD in the month of early September to October. Their parents were health care workers, and the patients had typical symptoms and signs, except in one case, which showed extensive vesicular eruptions and crusting. All children improved at domiciliary care. Active communication and close monitoring are what is required to manage HFMD without complications. These cases infer that counseling and monitoring are an integral part in the management of HFMD.