Antipyretics should be given as needed for fever. IV hydration should be given if the clinical assessment indicates. Antibiotics are not indicated unless a complicating secondary skin infection is present. A secondary skin infection is the main complication. These children can become mildly dehydrated, resulting from decreased oral intake because of the discomfort of the oral lesions.
Patients have an excellent prognosis with full recovery anticipated.
Instruct patients families on home monitoring of hydration status and on warning signs of potentially complicating secondary skin infections. The patient and family must be warned to minimize contact with the patient's oral and respiratory secretions for up to 2 weeks. Good compulsive handwashing is important to minimize the spread of disease. The virus may be present in the patient's feces for up to 1 month. Medicine is a constantly changing science and not all therapies are clearly established.