WellSpan Pediatric Medicine Physicians are seeing hand foot and mouth disease this week.
“Hand, foot and mouth disease is something our urgent care and pediatric teams commonly see during the summer months,” said Catherine Trego, advanced practice provider and site director, WellSpan Urgent Care of the West Region. “It often presents with fever, painful mouth sores, and a rash on the hands and feet. The good news is that many children can return to daycare or school once they’ve been fever-free for 24 hours without medication, feel well enough to participate in activities, and any excessive drooling from mouth sores has improved.”
“Even after symptoms resolve, the virus can be shed in stool for several weeks, so good hand hygiene remains critical,” she continued. “Parents can help manage symptoms at home by encouraging plenty of fluids—cold drinks, smoothies, ice pops, and chilled yogurt can be more comfortable if the mouth is sore—and offering soft, bland foods like applesauce, mashed potatoes, oatmeal, or scrambled eggs. Age-appropriate doses of acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help with pain or fever, but aspirin should be avoided. Regular handwashing, especially after diaper changes or toileting, along with cleaning frequently touched surfaces and shared toys, can help limit the spread.”…