Hand-foot-and-mouth syndrome in adults and children: symptoms and treatment

In the human gastrointestinal tract there is a huge number of different microorganisms. That is why the virus-representatives of this microflora is more often called enteroviruses. The diseases that are fraught with their activity can be many. The most commonly diagnosed infectious pathology caused by enterovirus is hand-foot-mouth syndrome. Enterovirus vesicular stomatitis is one of the most common forms of the disease, which will be discussed later.

How is an enterovirus infection transmitted from person to person?

Several enteroviruses are capable of provoking the onset of the disease. Each of them is particularly resistant to environmental conditions. Indoors, at normal room temperature, their vitality often reaches a two-week period. These include enterovirus 71 types and Coxsackie A and B viruses . The incidence increases in summer, as the activity of the pathogen at this time reaches its peak.

The "hand-foot-mouth" syndrome is an enteroviral vesicular disease, which is contagious. The infection is transmitted in various ways:

• Fecal-oral (especially often in this way is an infection in children);
• Contact-household;
• Air-drip.

The bulk of enteroviruses are concentrated in human saliva and faeces. You can get infected with disease even with close communication, close conversation, using shared dishes with a carrier.

Who is sick: children or adults?

The syndrome of "hands-feet-mouths" in children is much more common. To explain why this happens is quite simple: children, contacting each other in kindergarten, school, boarding school, rarely observe fully basic rules of hygiene. In addition, children often are not yet immune to the encounter with pathogenic microflora, and enterovirus enters the body to develop the disease.

One contact with enterovirus is enough to ensure that the child has developed immunity for the rest of his life. This is probably the main reason why the "hand-foot-mouth" syndrome in adult patients is practically not diagnosed. Having had ailment once, you are unlikely to experience a second infection. As an exception, it is worth noting the clinical cases when there is a syndrome in adults. The disease affects people in adulthood. Failure to contact with enterovirus in childhood means lack of immunity to the disease, which means that the probability of infection is quite high.

The main group of manifestations of infection

From the moment of infection to the first signs of the disease takes about a week. To carry a danger to the surrounding patient begins with the initial symptoms at the earliest stage of the pathology. Despite the variety of clinical signs characterized by the syndrome "hand-foot-mouth", enterovirus stomatitis is one of the most common manifestations of it. In most cases, the symptomatology of the disease is similar with the course of an acute respiratory infection. In particular, as well as in ARVI, patients with the syndrome "hand-foot-mouth" can be seen:

• Increased body temperature;
• General weakness, malaise;
• headache;
• Hyperemia of the oral cavity;
• sore throat.

How does the syndrome manifest on the patient's body?

Enanthema develops only a day after the common signs of infection. To it may be added rashes on the hands and feet, as well as on the skin area near the lips. After a while (usually 2-3 days), the temperature drops. However, abnormal skin rashes do not look the best, and they also give a lot of discomfort to the patient. Small distinctive vesicles appear on the mucous membranes. After the blisters on the cheeks, the sky and gums begin to burst, small ulceration remains, which eventually pass without a trace.

Additional signs of the disease

The same bubbles appear on the soles of the soles of the feet, palms, sometimes even on the buttocks. These formations are slightly different from those that arise in the mouth: they can have a red edging that enhances visually the degree of inflammation, and sometimes looks like flat red spots. The consequence of such rashes in most cases can be called flaky skin, the layer of which after 10-14 days will completely renew. A much less common complication of the disease is the dissection of the nail plates.

Concomitant symptoms from this condition can be called increased salivation, decreased appetite, which is most often caused by uncomfortable pain in the mouth. It is especially difficult for babies to endure the "hand-foot-to-mouth" syndrome: they become whiny, restless, capricious, and sleep poorly.

Symptoms of complications of enterovirus infection

Speaking about the prognosis of the disease, it is worth noting that it is very favorable. In very rare cases, especially when an enterovirus 71 is detected, patients with this type of pathology may develop complications in the form of meningitis, encephalitis, etc. It is possible to understand that the course of the disease becomes complicated by the following signs:

• Persistent fever at a body temperature above 39.5 degrees;
• Severe headache;
• Constant vomiting;
• Drowsiness or excessive arousal;
• Pain in the eyes.

The difficulty in treating this ailment lies in the belated diagnosis of pathology. Recognize the disease at a stage where it more closely resembles ARI, is difficult, given the fact that in the presence of rashes, many perceive them for allergic manifestations. Moreover, there are plenty of reasons for believing this in every parent: take at least repeated use of antipyretic drugs and other medicines.

Anesthetic and antiseptic action of drugs

Treatment of the syndrome "hand-foot-mouth" can not be called specific. Conditionally therapeutic complex can be divided into two categories, where the first include topical preparations, and the second - drugs for oral use.

External treatment is of no small importance. Due to local therapy, the patient can get rid of the obvious pain. Among the drugs that are in demand for the treatment of this infectious disease, we can distinguish:

1. "Lidocaine Asept". It is a combination drug that gives the strongest anesthetic effect. In addition, lidocaine has an antiseptic effect, but it is forbidden to use such a medicine for children.
2. "The Kamistad." Produced in the form of a gel, applied directly to the affected areas and left to act for a while. The drug also includes lidocaine and chamomile extract. The drug has an anti-inflammatory and anesthetic effect.
3. "Hexoral Tubs". A medication manufactured in tablets and in the form of a spray. Has antimicrobial properties.

What medicines will help in the speedy healing of vesicles?

The "hand-foot-mouth" syndrome requires not only symptomatic therapy for the purpose of arresting painful sensations. It is important to achieve rapid regeneration of tissues exposed to infection. To get rid of jazvochek and to achieve the prompt healing of the burst vesicles will help such medicines:

1. "Propolis" (spray). Natural antiseptic, which is a natural stimulant of antiviral action. This drug is also an anti-inflammatory agent of external action. He has no contraindications, except for individual intolerance to the components of the medication.
2. Carotolin. Increases local immunity, has the strongest antioxidant effect, contributing to the acceleration of the processes of regeneration of the skin. An oily solution of carotolin helps the body to be more resistant to pathogenic pathogens.
3. "Imudon". Another long-established positive drug. Promotes the production of salivary fluid immunoglobulin, which activates phagocytosis.

Antiviral drugs for the treatment of enterovirus

The attending physician will also prescribe antiviral therapy. For this purpose, prescribe such drugs:

1. Oksolinovaya ointment. Inexpensive and relatively effective tool. However, in most cases it is used as a preventive medicine that helps to fight not only with enterovirus, but also other pathogenic microorganisms.
2. Tebrofen Ointment. External antiviral medication provides complex treatment, actively fighting the inflammatory process and helping the injured tissues to heal faster.

In most cases, despite the fact that patients do not apply for medical care, recovery is quite fast.
In the normal course of the disease, therapeutic measures may not be required at all. Without any serious intervention, the sores pass independently a few days later. However, high temperatures can not do without the use of antipyretic drugs.

A few words about folk treatment

If the "hand-foot-mouth" syndrome is accompanied by pain and a sore throat, it is advisable to rinse. The most effective in the treatment of this disease are decoctions of herbs and various products prepared according to folk recipes. Supporters of alternative treatment recommend using:

• Flowers of lime;
• Chamomile;
• Millennial;
• St. John's wort;
• Burdock;
• Nettle;
• plantain.

Before taking any medications, it is worth consulting with a doctor: only a specialist will provide qualified help and cure the "hand-foot-mouth" syndrome. How to treat an infectious disease without specialists, many say. However, far from always the advisers on the forums have a medical education or enough experience in solving such problems. Self-medication can not always give the expected result. Taking medicines without prescription and doctor's prior advice can be dangerous for the health of the patient. Without monitoring and monitoring, taking medications is fraught with serious complications and worsening of the general condition of the patient.

Basics of preventive measures

Prevention and treatment of the syndrome "hand-foot-mouth" have two main directions. To get rid of the unpleasant symptoms of vesicular stomatitis and ulcers on the limbs, you must follow simple rules that are also considered effective prevention measures:

1. Always wash hands with soap after going to the toilet, on coming home from the street.
2. Do not touch dirty hands with your mouth.
3. Use only a personal towel and other toiletries.
4. Do not drink water from the tap, but use only purified or boiled water.
5. Always wash vegetables and fruits.

How to increase immunity and prevent infection with an ailment?

To defeat the syndrome "hand-foot-mouth" and not allow repeated infection, it is necessary to pay attention to the immune forces of the body. In particular, to increase the natural level of "defense" of the human body will help to maintain a healthy lifestyle based on three principles:

1. Enough to sleep.
2. Do sport.
3. Healthy food.

Judging by how the "hand-foot-mouth" syndrome manifests itself (the photo is able to demonstrate this more clearly), it is almost impossible to get sick in case of constant monitoring of your own health.