Common Illnesses
Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease
Common viral illness in young children, caused by coxsackievirus. Symptoms: fever, sore throat, painful mouth sores (on tongue, gums, inside cheeks), rash on hands and feet (sometimes buttocks).
Highly contagious but usually mild. Most common in summer/fall. Lasts 7-10 days. No treatment - just manage symptoms. Baby is contagious even before rash appears.
What to Do
- Give pain medication (acetaminophen/ibuprofen) to reduce fever and mouth pain
- Offer cold fluids/foods: cold milk, ice pops, smoothies (soothe sore mouth)
- Avoid acidic or spicy foods that can irritate mouth sores (citrus, tomatoes)
- For babies eating solids: Offer soft, bland foods (applesauce, oatmeal, yogurt)
- Offer fluids frequently to prevent dehydration (painful to swallow)
- Wash hands frequently - highly contagious through saliva, stool, and fluid from blisters
- Wash toys and surfaces that baby has touched
- Keep baby home from daycare until fever is gone and mouth sores are healed
- Avoid kissing baby on mouth until sores are healed
- Rash is not itchy and doesn't need treatment - will resolve on its own
When to call a doctor
Call doctor if baby refuses all fluids for 8+ hours (due to mouth pain), shows signs of dehydration, fever >104°F, symptoms worsen after 2-3 days, or baby is under 3 months old.