Early symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease

Hand, foot and mouth disease is an acute infectious disease caused by enterovirus, which is common in children. In the early stage of the disease, symptoms such as fever, oral ulcers, rashes on the limbs, anorexia, and mental abnormalities may occur. It is recommended to seek medical treatment in time, and after a clear diagnosis, take appropriate medication according to the doctor's advice. The details are as follows:

1. Fever: Most cases are low-grade or moderate, and a few are high-grade, with body temperatures as high as 38°C or above. Physical cooling methods can be used, such as using a wet towel to wipe the neck, popliteal fossa, elbow fossa, groin and other places where large blood vessels pass, to help the body dissipate heat. You can also apply a fever-reducing patch for physical cooling, and remember to drink plenty of water and keep the indoor air circulating.

2. Oral ulcers: Scattered herpes may appear on the cheeks, tongue, soft palate and other parts of the mouth, and then break and form ulcers, accompanied by pain symptoms. Oral care includes regular oral cleaning and avoiding the use of hard foods to irritate the ulcer surface. You can use normal saline to rinse your mouth and brush your teeth gently to relieve pain and promote wound healing.

3. Rash on the limbs: The most obvious feature of hand, foot and mouth disease is the rash on the hands, feet and other parts of the body, which is mainly manifested as scattered red rashes of varying sizes. Keep the skin dry and clean, avoid friction and strenuous exercise to reduce the risk of infection. If necessary, antiviral drugs can be used under the guidance of a doctor to alleviate the symptoms of the rash.

4. Anorexia: Due to the pain caused by oral ulcers, patients may experience loss of appetite and unwillingness to eat. For children with loss of appetite, you can improve their appetite and nutritional status by providing them with light and easily digestible foods, such as porridge, noodles, etc., as well as nutritional supplements. If necessary, you can use digestive enzyme preparations, probiotic therapy or Chinese medicine conditioning to promote appetite and digestive function.

5. Mental abnormality: During the illness, the patient may experience symptoms such as drowsiness and lack of energy due to physical discomfort. Let the child pay attention to rest, maintain a good attitude, and avoid overwork. Provide fresh vegetables and fruits, as well as foods with high nutritional value, such as eggs, milk, etc., to enhance physical strength.

The treatment of hand, foot and mouth disease should be based on the specific situation of the child and the doctor's advice. During the epidemic period of hand, foot and mouth disease, parents should pay attention to preventive measures, such as washing hands frequently, keeping indoor air circulating, and avoiding contact with sick children to reduce the risk of infection.