How To Help Your Child Avoid Hand Foot Mouth Disease In Daycare

While adults have been known to contract hand, foot and mouth disease, it is usually children who suffer its effects. Children in public school settings and daycare are most susceptible to this disease caused by the coxsackie virus A16. Hand, foot and mouth disease is one of the many rash illnesses that can befall a young child.

This disease is not serious but does cause some discomfort to the afflicted person. Hand, foot and mouth disease is fairly common and most cases are identified in the warm summer months as well as the fall, times when children are most likely in daycare settings. Children ages 10 and younger are usually affected and typically there are outbreaks of several children at a time in a classroom setting.

Symptoms of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

This disease usually starts with a fever and runny nose and a sore throat can cause a decrease in appetite. Once the fever begins, the “rash” shows up in the form or blisters inside the mouth in places such as the gums, tongue and inside the cheeks. Other places affected include sore bumps or blisters on the feet and hands. This rash outbreak typically lasts for about one to two weeks.

How Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease is Spread

Direct contact with bodily fluids is the way that this disease is spread. Discharge from the nose, saliva and even broken blisters can spread the coxsackie virus. If these bodily fluids touch items such as towels, toys and tableware, you can become infected by using one of the affected items. While the disease is most contagious when the blisters are present, the virus could be spread even weeks later once symptoms are gone.

Most daycares practice proper hand washing hygiene and disinfection of toys and hard surfaces. However, you can practice the same things at home as well. Always wash hands after changing diapers as well as wiping noses. Washing clothing and towels frequently also helps prevent the spread of the disease.

Children are often asked to stay home when they are infected with the hand, foot and mouth disease. As long as the rash of blisters and bumps are still present, they are at their most contagious. Doctors can make a more accurate diagnosis of the disease based on the symptoms and circumstances.

Treatment of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

Because viruses cannot be cured, hand, foot and mouth disease has to run its course. No particular treatment is available. Therefore, you just should treat the symptoms to make the patient more comfortable. Pain relievers can help with fever, headache and the aches and pains from the blisters. If eating is a problem because of the pain from the blisters, gargling and swishing with antiseptic mouth washes might alleviate some pain.

Unfortunately, there is no way other than proper hygiene to avoid hand, foot and mouth disease. Therefore, practice safe hand washing techniques and avoid direct body fluid contact with children, the primary carriers of this disease.