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Hand, Foot, Mouth Disease

Antacid for Mouth Pain: Use a liquid antacid 4 times per day.
- For younger children, put ½ teaspoon in the front of the mouth 4 times per day after meals.
- Children over age 4 can use 1 teaspoon as a mouthwash after meals.
Soft Diet:
- Encourage favorite fluids to prevent dehydration.
- Cold drinks, milkshakes, Popsicles, slushes, and sherbet are good choices.
- Avoid citrus, salty, or spicy foods.
- For infants, give fluids by cup, spoon, or syringe rather than a bottle. (Reason: the nipple can cause pain).
- The amount of solid food intake is not important.
Fever Medicine:
- Give acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever above 102°F (39°C) or severe mouth pain.
- See dosage chart.
- Ask your pharmacist to recommend a pediatric brand containing either of these ingredients.
- Do not give any product that contains aspirin.
Contagiousness: Quite contagious but a mild and harmless disease. Incubation period is 3-6 days. Can return to daycare or school after the fever is gone (usually 1 to 3 days).
Expected Course: The fever lasts 2 or 3 days. The mouth ulcers resolve by 7 days. The rash on the hands and feet lasts 10 days.
IF your child becomes worse: Review Should I Call? recommendations.