From the Research
Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) treatment is primarily supportive care as it is a viral infection that typically resolves on its own within 7-10 days. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms and includes over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) to reduce fever and alleviate pain from mouth sores, as suggested by 1. Dosing should follow age-appropriate guidelines on the medication packaging. Cold foods like popsicles, ice cream, or yogurt can soothe mouth discomfort, while avoiding spicy, salty, or acidic foods that may irritate sores. Maintaining hydration is crucial despite painful swallowing; using straws or sippy cups may help. Salt water rinses (1/2 teaspoon salt in 1 cup warm water) can provide relief for older children and adults. Topical oral anesthetics like benzocaine products may offer temporary relief but should be used cautiously. Since HFMD is caused by enteroviruses (commonly Coxsackievirus A16 or Enterovirus 71), antibiotics are ineffective, as noted in 2. The illness is highly contagious, so patients should avoid close contact with others, practice good hand hygiene, and stay home from school or work until fever subsides and mouth sores heal to prevent transmission.
Some key points to consider in the treatment of HFMD include:
- The use of over-the-counter pain relievers to manage symptoms
- Maintaining hydration to prevent dehydration
- Avoiding close contact with others to prevent transmission
- Practicing good hand hygiene to reduce the risk of transmission
- Staying home from school or work until fever subsides and mouth sores heal
It's also important to note that while there is no specific pharmaceutical intervention for HFMD, an inactivated Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) vaccine has been approved by the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) and has been shown to provide a high level of protection against EV-A71-related HFMD, as mentioned in 1. However, the simultaneous circulation of multiple pathogens and the evolution of the molecular epidemiology of infectious agents make interventions based solely on a single agent comparatively inadequate.
In terms of prevention, good hand hygiene and avoiding close contact with others are key, as suggested by 3. Additionally, maintaining a clean environment and avoiding sharing of personal items can help reduce the risk of transmission.
Overall, the treatment of HFMD should focus on managing symptoms and preventing transmission, with an emphasis on supportive care and good hygiene practices, as recommended by 4.