HFMD is one of many infections that result in mouth sores. Usually, the physician can distinguish between HFMD and other causes of mouth sores based on the age of the patient, the pattern of symptoms reported by the patient or parent, and the appearance of the rash and sores on examination. A throat swab or stool specimen may be sent to a laboratory to determine which enterovirus caused the illness. Since the testing often takes 2 to 4 weeks to obtain a final answer, the physician usually does not order these tests. No specific treatment is available for this or other enterovirus infections.
Symptomatic treatment is given to provide relief from fever, aches, or pain from the mouth ulcers.
Children are often excluded from child care programs, schools, or other group settings during the first few days of the illness. These measures may reduce the spread of infection, but they will not completely interrupt it. This page was last reviewed November 6, 2000.