[Medical Q&A] Does the more rashes a child with hand, foot and mouth disease has, the more serious the condition?

Planner: Chinese Medical Association

Reviewer: Huang Lei, deputy chief physician, Fifth Medical Center, PLA General Hospital

Although rash is one of the important characteristics of hand, foot and mouth disease, the rash cannot represent the severity of the disease!

Hand, foot and mouth disease is an acute infectious disease common in children caused by enterovirus (such as Coxsackievirus A group 16, enterovirus 71, etc.). The main symptoms of the disease are fever, oral ulcers, and rashes or blisters on the hands, feet and around the mouth.

(1) The relationship between the number of rashes and the severity of the disease: The number of rashes in children with hand, foot and mouth disease is not always proportional to the severity of the disease. Different children have individual differences in their response to viral infection. Some children have many typical rashes, but the symptoms are mild and they recover quickly; some children may only have a few rashes, but die quickly within 2 to 3 days.

(2) Correct criteria for judging the severity of the disease

1) Fever: Persistent high fever (body temperature over 39°C), especially for infants and young children, may be a sign of a serious illness.

2) Oral ulcers: Severe oral ulcers may cause children to be unable to eat and require prompt medical attention.

3) Neurological symptoms: such as drowsiness, irritability, myoclonus, limb tremors, etc., may be manifestations of a serious illness, especially severe cases of enterovirus 71 infection.

4) Difficulty breathing: If your child has symptoms such as shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, seek medical attention immediately.

5) Circulatory system symptoms: such as pale complexion, cold limbs, weak pulse, etc., indicate possible shock and require emergency treatment.

Therefore, if a child has hand, foot and mouth disease, we should not only pay attention to the appearance, disappearance and number of the rash, but also pay attention to the child's body temperature, consciousness and daily performance.