Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

Introduction

Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common self-limiting viral illness in children.¹ It is usually caused by coxsackie or enterovirus and generally has good clinical outcomes.^2,3

Aetiology

The two most common causative organisms of HFMD are coxsackie A virus (CA16) and enterovirus (EV71).^1,4 

HFMD is commonly transmitted through the faecal-oral route. However, it can also be transmitted via oral-oral and respiratory droplet contact.^2,4

Risk factors

The most significant risk factor is contact with an infected person. The most at-risk groups are children under the age of 10 (especially under the age of four) and families/carers of children in this age group. This is because outbreaks usually spread within pre-schools, schools and households.³

Poor hygiene, especially whilst toileting, is another risk factor to consider.²

Clinical features

History

Typical symptoms of HFMD include:^1,2,3

• A prodrome of low-grade fever, malaise, loss of appetite for 1-2 days prior to lesions appearing
• A non-pruritic rash that starts as a red macule and then develops into a grey vesicle affecting the oral mucosa, hands and feet (including palms and soles)

Other important areas to cover in the history include:^1,3

• Age: usually affects children under 10 years old, with a predilection for those under four years
• Attendance at a daycare or school
• Contact with known infectious persons: either as a classmate or carer
• Pregnancy: HFMD in the last trimester can have considerable risks to the newborn

Clinical examination

Typical clinical findings in HFMD include:⁴

• Low-grade fever
• Rash affecting the mucous membranes of the mouth, palms and soles primarily, with extension to the trunk, buttocks and genitals in some cases (Figures 1 and 2)

Other important examination steps include:

• A general assessment of hydration status: dehydration can be a complication of HFMD due to reduced oral intake
• Neurological exam, with an assessment of neck stiffness: meningitis is a rare complication of HFMD

Differential diagnoses

It is important to differentiate HFMD from other rashes of childhood (Table 1). 

Table 1. Causes of rashes in childhood and differentiating from HFMD.^3,4

Investigations

Generally, there are no investigations required for HFMD as it is a clinical diagnosis. A PCR of a throat, vesicle or rectal swab can be used to subtype the causative organism, but this is not routinely performed.^2,3

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of HFMD is clinical, based on history, clinical examination and risk factors.

Management

HFMD requires supportive management.^1,2,3,4 This includes good hydration, a soft diet and simple analgesia (paracetamol/ibuprofen). It is important to reassure the parents, provide education about the condition, and review the child in 48 hours.

It is important to maintain good hand hygiene practices.^1,2 This is very important in children who still use nappies or are not toilet trained, as viral particles can persist in faecal matter for up to six weeks after infection. 

There is no evidence that topical analgesics such as lidocaine are beneficial.²

HFMD is not a reportable or notifiable disease. There are no exclusion criteria for children although it is important to note that patients are infective until blisters have resolved.^2,3

Complications

HFMD has an excellent prognosis with self-resolution after 7-10 days in the majority of cases.^1,4

A common complication is superinfection with skin flora, most commonly Staphylococcus aureus, which may require antibiotic therapy.²

Another potential complication is dehydration due to the painful oral ulcers or stomatitis reducing oral intake.^{2, 4}

Rarer complications include meningitis and cardiorespiratory failure.⁴

HFMD in pregnancy

Another important consideration is the maternal contraction of HFMD in the third trimester. Foetal infection increases the risk of meningoencephalitis, thrombocytopenia, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, cardiomyopathy and hepatitis in the newborn.⁴

Key points

• HFMD is a common, self-limiting viral illness of childhood that requires supportive management.
• The most common causative organisms of HFMD are coxsackie A virus (CA16) and enterovirus (EV71).
• A history of age less than 10 years old, a known sick contact, a prodrome of 1-2 days in conjunction with a rash that affects the mucous membranes of the mouth, and the skin of palms and soles is highly suggestive of HFMD.
• Diagnosis is clinical and no investigations are routinely required.
• Supportive management is the mainstay of treatment. Reassure the parents and review the child at 48 hours.
• Common complications include superinfections with skin flora and dehydration.
• Maternal HFMD can result in serious complications in the neonate.

Reviewer

Dr Keith Hamd MBBS, FRACGP, DCH

General Practitioner

Editor

Dr Chris Jefferies

References

1. Frydenberg and Starr. Hand, foot and mouth disease. 2003. Available from: [LINK]
2. John Murtagh’s General Practice, 8e. Chapter 86: Common childhood infectious diseases (including skin eruptions). 2022. Available from: [LINK]
3. Tidy et al. Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease. 2021. Available from: [LINK]
4. Saguil et al. Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease: Rapid Evidence Review. 2019. Available from: [LINK]
5. BruceBlaus. Hand Foot and Mouth Disease. Licence: [CC BY-SA 4.0]
6. KlatschmohnAcker. Hand Foor and Mouth Disease Adult 36yrs. Licence: [CC BY-SA 3.0]