Hand Foot and Mouth Disease

Coxsackie virus, otherwise known as Hand Foot and Mouth disease, is what I have chosen to highlight for this blast. Some of you may be all too familiar with Coxsackie virus, while the rest of you are scratching your head wondering what strange sounding virus is this?
Coxsackie Virus is Not:
• A Bacterial Illness- it cannot be treated with antibiotics
• Foot and mouth disease-Which only occurs in bovines (animals like cows)
• A very rare or strange childhood illness (we see it all the time!)
• A serious illness- Usually Coxsackie virus resolves on its own without any serious problems
Coxsackie Virus Can:
• Manifest in many ways: fever, runny nose, vomiting, fussiness, appetite changes, and of course the classic rash that accompanies Coxsackie virus
• Cause an uncomfortable rash: the rash usually looks what many people would describe as blisters that are most commonly found in or around the mouth, on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and in the diaper area. The rash in the mouth can look similar to a canker sore sometimes causing white spots and appear as red raised bumps on the rest of the body.
• Hang around for a while: mouth sores usually last between 5-7 days but the rash on the rest of the body typically last 7-12 days
• Be quite contagious: Hand foot and mouth is spread by respiratory secretions from coughing/sneezing/ or drooling, the fluid inside of the rash, and in the stool
• Have a season: Coxsackie virus usually peaks in late spring and early summer and again in late summer and early autumn but we are seeing a large influx of kids with coxsackie virus right now
Some things you can do to help:
• Always encourage good hand hygiene and clean commonly use household surfaces
• The symptoms of Coxsackie virus are treated with medications like Tylenol or Ibuprofen for comfort
• Encourage fluids and soft cool foods
• Call us if you are worried! Our biggest concern with hand foot and mouth is that your child continues to drink and have wet diapers.
• You do not necessarily need to come into the office if your child is having these symptoms unless you are concerned or need a note for daycare or school
• Read up! Here is the link from the CDC on Coxsackie virus-
http://www.cdc.gov/hand-foot-mouth/