Guess what they call a disease affecting hand, foot and mouth?

We had a bit of a virus outbreak in our practice area a week or two ago.

Several parents brought their young children in boasting a clutch of similar symptoms.

They had been a bit unwell for a day or so, often with a fever, then a sore throat.

After that some little spots appeared on the inside of the mouth, which turned into rather painful wee mouth ulcers.

Not long after that some more spots popped up on their skin, these ones more like little lumps.

Specifically they appeared on their hands and feet – although some had them on their legs and bottom too.

Spots on the hand, foot and mouth? It was the creatively named hand, foot and mouth disease, you’ll be stunned to learn.

It tends to be children that get this virus, although babies and adults can get it, too.

It’s usually caused by something called the coxsackie A16 virus, but occasionally other viruses, and is mainly transmitted via coughing and sneezing.

The virus can also be present in stools so can be passed on by not washing hands following visits to the toilet.

The symptoms aren’t usually very serious – although we need to be careful with young babies.

In most cases the worst it will cause is a sore mouth for up to a week.

Painkillers – paracetamol and ibuprofen for those who can take them – help, and these can come in liquid form for those struggling with a sore mouth.

If there’s a temperature, aim to keep the child cool and give plenty to drink.

There are a host of mouth gels that can soothe the pain in the mouth – ask your pharmacist for advice and check the labels for suitable age ranges.

I often recommend a warm, salty mouthwash, although the child needs to be old enough to be trusted to not swallow the salty water.

As hand, foot and mouth disease can be contagious, any affected children shouldn’t share towels, cups, forks and that sort of thing.

Get them to wash their hands and teach them to cover their mouth when coughing and sneezing, but they don’t have to stay off school if well enough to go.

Generally, you should try to avoid piercing the blisters – as the fluid within is infectious.