What are the treatment instructions for hand, foot, and mouth disease in a mother or her child?

From the Guidelines

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) treatment focuses on symptom management as it's a viral infection that typically resolves on its own within 7-10 days. For pain and fever, use over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol) at appropriate doses (adults: 500-1000mg every 6 hours, children: 10-15mg/kg every 4-6 hours) or ibuprofen (adults: 400-600mg every 6-8 hours, children: 5-10mg/kg every 6-8 hours) 1. Avoid aspirin in children due to Reye's syndrome risk. Some key points to consider for treatment and prevention include:

• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids, especially cold liquids and popsicles which can soothe throat pain.
• Soft foods like yogurt, applesauce, and soup are easier to swallow with mouth sores.
• Salt water rinses (1/2 teaspoon salt in 1 cup warm water) can help relieve mouth discomfort.
• Apply topical oral anesthetics like benzocaine products for mouth sores, but use sparingly.
• Rest is important for recovery.
• Practice good hygiene including frequent handwashing to prevent spreading the virus to others, as HFMD is highly contagious through direct contact with bodily fluids, and hand hygiene is the single most important method of preventing transmission of infectious agents 1. If symptoms worsen, dehydration occurs, or fever persists beyond 3 days, seek medical attention. It's also important to note that hand decontamination is a key factor in the prevention of health-care related infections which includes CVAD-related infections, and several products are available: alcohol-based decontamination, non-alcohol-based decontamination, antimicrobial/antiseptic hand-washes or agents or liquid soap and water 1. Before using a hand-rub solution, hands should be free from dirt and organic material, and the solution must come into contact with all surfaces of the hand, rubbing together vigorously until the solution has evaporated and the hands are dry 1.

From the Research

Treatment Instructions for Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

• The treatment for hand, foot, and mouth disease is mainly supportive and directed toward hydration and pain relief as needed with acetaminophen or ibuprofen 2.
• Oral lidocaine is not recommended, and antiviral treatment is not available 2.
• In severe or complicated cases, intravenous immunoglobulin should be considered for treatment 3.
• There are no specific antiviral agents approved for the treatment of the disease, but several drugs have emerged as potential candidates, including ribavirin, suramin, mulberroside C, aminothiazole analogs, and sertraline 3.

Prevention Measures

• The best methods to prevent the spread of hand, foot, and mouth disease are handwashing and disinfecting potentially contaminated surfaces and fomites 2.
• Vaccination of susceptible individuals in high-risk areas is also an important preventative measure 3, 4.
• Good personal hygiene is crucial in preventing the disease 3.

Clinical Manifestations

• Hand, foot, and mouth disease is characterized by a painful oral enanthem and asymptomatic exanthem on the palms and soles 3.
• Children younger than 5 years are most commonly affected 3.
• The disease is usually benign and resolves in 7 to 10 days without sequelae 2, 3.
• However, in rare cases, patients may have neurologic or cardiopulmonary complications 2.