Hand, foot and mouth disease

Hand, foot and mouth disease is caused by a virus. The germs affect your child's mouth, hands and feet at the same time.

The virus takes about three to five days to develop. Your child can get this disease more than once.

Symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease are:

• small white spots or canker sores on the mouth or tongue
• rash (blisters or bumps) on the palms of the hands and spaces between the fingers and the soles of her feet and spaces between the toes
• fever.

Your child can spread hand, foot and mouth disease from saliva.

How to make your child more comfortable

• Give your child extra liquids.
• Give your child soft foods like ice cream, pudding and yogurt.

Antibiotics will not help treat hand, foot and mouth disease. The virus will have to run its course.

When to call your health care provider

Call your health care provider for an appointment if your child refuses to drink enough to maintain a normal rate of urination.