Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease in Emergency Medicine Treatment & Management

Updated: Oct 02, 2018
  • Author: Pamela L Dyne, MD; Chief Editor: Russell W Steele, MD  more...
  • Print
Treatment

Emergency Department Care

See the list below:

  • Treatment of hand-foot-and-mouth (HFM) disease is primarily supportive.

  • Examining the patient's hydration status by evaluation and documentation of lacrimation, mucosal membranes, skin turgor, urine output, and pulse or capillary refill time is extremely important.

  • Antipyretics should be given as needed for fever.

  • Intravenous hydration should be given if the clinical assessment indicates.

  • Acetaminophen and ibuprofen can be used as first-line therapy for mouth pain. For patients with significant dysphagia (irritability, refusal of oral fluids, or drooling), codeine and topical anesthetics can be administered.