Hand-foot-and-mouth disease - Human aphthous fever (Paediatrics)

Low urgency
Common-

Common, non-serious infectious disease that usually affects children between 1 and 5 years of age, and usually lasts 3-5 days.

It is caused by viruses of the enterovirus family.

It usually presents with mouth sores, blisters or pimples on hands and/or feet, fever and irritability.

Diagnosis is clinical by questioning and physical examination; no further tests are usually necessary.

Treatment is symptomatic with Paracetamol/Ibuprofen, proper hydration and a soft, cold diet.

Bibliographic references
  1. American Academy of Pediatrics. Enterovirus (nonpoliovirus). In: Red Book: 2015 Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases, 30th, Kimberlin DW, Brady MT, Jackson MA, Long SS. (Eds), American Academy of Pediatrics, Elk Grove Village, IL 2015. p.333.
  2. Stellrecht KA, Lamson DA, Romero JR. Enteroviruses and parechoviruses. In: Manual of Clinical Microbiology, 11th, Jorgensen JH, Pfaller MA, Carroll KC, et al. (Eds), American Society for Microbiology, Washington, DC 2015. p.1536.
  3. Nelson textbook of pediatrics. Robert M. Kliegman, Bonita F. Stanton, Joseph W. St. Geme, III, Nina F. Schor ; editor emeritus, Richard E. Behrman (2016).
  4. A guide to clinical management and public health response for hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) / World Health Organization, Western Pacific Region, Regional Emerging Diseases Intervention Centre (2011).
Author
Dr. Oscar Garcia-Esquirol
Copyright
© TeckelMedical 2026

Symptoms

    Fever / Feel very hot


    Blisters larger than 0.5 cm


    Small pimples in genital and/or buttock area


    Redness and/or rash around the mouth


    Whine

Symptoms to watch out for

Dehydration signs: more fatigued than usual, dizziness, dry mouth and tongue.
Headache
If it is accompanied by seizures

Self-care

Consume over-the-counter analgesics and antipyretics in case of muscle pain or fever (Tº > 38ºC).
Drink milk, cold water, eat ice-cream or cold desserts.
Do a soft diet, including food like toasts or cookies.