Hand/Mouth/Foot Disease

Hi S. -

Hand, Foot & Mouth disease (also known as Coxsackie Virus) cannot be treated with an antibiotic, since it is a viral infection. That being said, there is a concoction that my doctor prescribed when my son Pete (now nearly 15 months old) contracted the virus about a month ago: it contains Benedryl, Maalox and Lidocaine (which is a topical anesthetic/analgesic, it basically numbs the pain). You need to get a prescription for it, so call your doctor. It's not a miracle cure, but it helps them temporarily and is better than nothing. You swab this on the inside of the mouth to help numb the pain of the sores; in addition, you can alternate giving your daughter Infant Motrin and Tylenol to maintain a steady level of pain management - these drugs do not interact with one another; just follow the directions your doctor gives you. Pete's doctor had us giving him infant Motrin in the morning, then Tylenol a few hours later, then the Motrin (at the proper interval - 6 hours later, I think), then Tylenol, etc. It helped keep Pete more comfortable and his fever down.

A couple of things to note about Coxsackie Virus - not all kids show symptoms of it, but all are exposed to it. It is very common, and can run rampant through day care centers, but not everyone is aware when their child is exposed to it, since some people only have a sore throat. Once you are exposed to one strain, you are immune (you may come down with another strain, however). Coxsackie is highly contagious, but is generally not seen in adults (since chances are, we've already been exposed to it); you want to make sure to keep her away from other children (and out of day care) until she has been fever-free for at least 24 or 48 hours. Your daughter may develop a red pinpoint rash on her hands and feet; this is normal. If you get the concoction I described above, try giving your daughter Pedialyte right after swabbing her mouth, to try to minimize the risk of dehydration. You can mix it with apple or grape juice, but try to avoid acidic fruit juices since they will sting her mouth. Milk is also good, and will hurt less. My son didn't drink anything for an entire day - once we swabbed his mouth, he sucked down his bottle and had some Pedialyte and apple juice.

Call your doctor, ask about the concoction, and check on the Motrin/Tylenol schedule. Pete's virus lasted about 5 days. Good luck - hope that Amber is feeling better soon!

B.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi S.,

Unfortunatly there really isn't much you can do. Both of my children had the same thing when they were little. You could try and give her freeze pops. I believe that they Pedi-sure makes one. That will help keep her hydrated and the cold might help with the discomfort. It should pass in a few days.

The doctors can't perscribe an antibiotic becasue its a viral infection not a bacterial infection. It wouldn't do any good.

Good luck. I hope she feels better soon. I know how helpless you feel when all you can so is wait for an illness to pass.

Hi S. -- Unfortunately this is a very common virus for little ones. My girls had it, along with my nieces in NY state. We all followed the same treatment and they were fine. Apparently antibiotics are only prescribed for infections, so viruses have to run their course. It's just hard to watch them feel so uncomfortable. Hang in there!

I'm lucky enough to say that my son never got this very common disease. However, as a nurse I will say for certain that if it is viral, antibiotics are useless. Over-use of these drugs has caused many antibiotic-resistant infections to surface. That said, there are anti-viral meds out there too. Your pediatrician would know for sure if they are appropriate. Just do your best to keep her comfy, and this will pass. Maybe some benadryl or hydocortisone would at lest keep the rash under control. Ask your doc about proper dosages. Hang in there!

Hi S.!

My nephew had the same virus and it is extremely common. He was a year old when he caught the virus and he was unable to swallow, eat, etc. He cried for 72 hours straight and had a really high temperature. Unfortunately, all you can do is keep the temp under control and try to get any kind of liquid in them. It will work its way out of her system but it isn't fun at all. Hang in there!!!

My son had this last summer (he is almost 2 now). they also did not give him antibiotics and I had to squeeze pedialyte into his mouth via a medicine dropper every few minutes. It did not last long at all and after about a day he was feeling better to drink some by himself. I hope your little one feels better. I know it is the most difficult thing to see them not feeling well and not able to understand why. Good luck!

Sounds like your poor little girl is feeling horrible. My girlfriend's little girl got this also. All you can do is the best to keep her a comfortable as possible. It is a viral infection so antibiotics do nothing. For antibiotics to work, the infection must be bacterial in nature.

Just keep an eye on her hydration level. If she is not peeing like normal, eyes seem a little sucken in and have dark circles, etc....call your doctor.

Good luck and I hope she's on the mend soon.

Hello,
I feel badly that your daughter is having a hard time with the symptoms of Hand, foo, mouth disease. Unfortunately, there really is not much at all you can do besides what the dr. already told you. I have worked in child care for over 25 years, and have seen many cases over this time. Just make her as comfortable as possible and it will go away soon!
S.

Hi mom,
My kid had it, and his friends too. Don't be too worried, she'll be okay. It takes a few days and then it is back too normal. Though I understand how you'd feel, especially with you first baby, a little pain and suffering they can handle and it toughens them up. Perhaps she would enjoy a popsicle for hydration? I believe you can buy special ones in the market for babies that are sick. Hang in, and I hope Amber feels better soon!

Best,
M. M.

One other point to note- you child can not come in contact with any pregnant women while having the virus. It can be very dangerous for the fetus.