Dr. Patrick Hundsdorfer said hand, foot and mouth disease is a viral disease that mainly affects children under the age of 10.
The head of the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescents at Helios Hospital in the German capital, Berlin, explained that hand, foot, and mouth disease is caused by group A enteric viruses, which spread during the fall through contaminated surfaces or from one person to another through what is known as smear infection.
Symptoms
Symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease are a rash that appears on the mucous membrane of the mouth, tongue and lips. The rash also extends to the palms, fingers, and soles, in addition to feeling burning pain and severe itching.
Hundsdorfer noted that fluid from blisters is particularly contagious.
Treatment
Regarding how to treat, the German pediatrician explained that pain and fever-reducing medications such as paracetamol or mouthwashes can help treat high body temperature and painful blisters in the mouth.
A doctor should be visited if the pain in the mouth is so severe that the child no longer wants to drink, and also if the child is less than 6 months old, or if the symptoms continue for more than 10 days.
It is not permissible for a child to go to school or kindergarten until he has completely recovered from the disease.