Coxsackie Virus (Hand, foot and mouth disease)
Named after the town of Coxsackie, New York, where first discovered.
Definition:
- Small ulcers in the mouth
- A mildly/moderately painful mouth
- Small water blisters or red spots located on the palms and soles and on the webs between the fingers and toes
- Five or fewer blisters per limb
- Sometimes, small blisters or red spots on the buttocks
- Fever between 100o and 102oF (37.8o and 38.9oC), sometimes higher, or no fever in milder cases
- Mainly occurs in children 6 months to 5 years of age
Cause:
- Hand, foot, and mouth disease is always caused by a Coxsackie A-16 virus, part of the enterovirus family of viruses
- It has no relationship to hoof and mouth disease of cattle
Expected Course:
The fever and discomfort are usually gone by day 3 or 4. The mouth ulcers resolve in 7 days, but the rash on the hands and feet can last 10 days. The only complication seen with any frequency is dehydration from refusing fluids.
HOME CARE:
- Diet - Change to a soft diet for a few days and encourage plenty of clear fluids. Cold drinks, popsicles, and sherbert are often well received. For a younger child, give fluids by cup rather than from a bottle. Avoid giving your child citrus, salty, or spicy foods. Also avoid foods that need much chewing
- Pain / Fever - Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen may be given for a few days for severe mouth pain or a fever above 102°F (38.9°C)
- Contagiousness - Hand, foot, and mouth disease is quite contagious and usually some of your child's playmates will develop it at about the same time. The incubation period after contact is 3 to 6 days. Because the spread of infection is extremely difficult to prevent and the condition is harmless, these children do not need to be isolated. They can return to day care or school when the fever returns to normal range. Most children are contagious from 2 days before to 2 days after symptoms develop, limiting exposure to other children is recommended.
CALL OUR OFFICE IMMEDIATELY if:
- Your child has not urinated for more than 6-8 hours
- Your child starts acting very sick
DURING REGULAR HOURS if:
- The fever lasts more than 3 days
- The mouth pain becomes severe
- You have other concerns or questions
Information from the NY State Dept. of Health
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