Can I apply Acyclovir with hand, foot and mouth disease?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I, Resident Doctor Dang Thi Ngoan - Pediatrician - Neonatologist, Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Ha Long International General Hospital
Acyclovir is a drug against pathogens caused by some viruses such as chickenpox, herpes,... Also a viral disease, but there are no recommendations to allow the use of Acyclovir to treat foot disease. hand and mouth.

1. What causes hand, foot and mouth disease?

Viruses belonging to the Enterovirus group are the cause of hand, foot and mouth disease. This group of viruses has many different types (Poliovirus, Coxsackievirus, Echovirus and other Enteroviruses). When having hand, foot and mouth disease, Coxsackievirus A16 is the most common type with mild symptoms, few complications and usually self-resolving. However, if caused by Enterovirus 71, it causes many dangerous complications, which can lead to death for the patient.
Hand, foot and mouth occurs most commonly in children under 10 years of age. The virus that causes hand, foot and mouth disease is usually spread through the mouth and anus, such as saliva, mucus, feces and secretions of an infected person. The risk of hand, foot and mouth disease when:
Direct contact with an infected person or contact with secretions from the nose and saliva of an infected person while sneezing or coughing. Children hold toys, touch the floor contaminated with the virus, and then accidentally put it on their eyes, nose and mouth. Caregivers of sick people do not wash their hands regularly, spreading the virus.

2. Hand, foot and mouth symptoms

Symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease are very specific, about 1 to 2 days of incubation, hand, foot and mouth disease will start with the following symptoms:
Fever: Fever is the first sign when a child is infected with a virus that causes hand, foot and mouth disease. This is a natural response of the body to prevent the attack of harmful viruses and bacteria. Skin lesions appear: The patient's skin will appear red, blisters on the palms, feet, oral cavity or tongue, ... These lesions can cause itching, burning pain and discomfort when broken. Therefore, children should not scratch the red spot to limit the risk of infection. Fatigue, loss of appetite: In addition to the above symptoms, children will have a sore mouth, loss of appetite, fatigue or severe diarrhea. For young children, if they cry and startle frequently, it may be a sign of neurotoxicity. In this case, it is necessary to take the child to a medical facility for timely examination.

3. Using drugs in the treatment of hand, foot and mouth

Currently, there is no specific drug to treat the virus that causes hand, foot and mouth disease, so treatment is mainly symptomatic. Treatment drugs include:
Antipyretic, pain reliever: When sick, the patient often has a fever. At this time, pain relievers (paracetamol, ibuprofen) can be used to help reduce pain and fussiness in children. Antibiotics, antiviral drugs: Hand, foot and mouth disease is a viral disease, antibiotics cannot treat the virus that causes the disease. Use antibiotics only when there are symptoms of additional bacterial infection. Currently, acyclovir is a drug against pathogens such as viruses. It's also a viral disease, can I apply Acyclovir? Accordingly, there are not any recommendations that allow the use of Acyclovir to treat hand, foot and mouth disease. Topical drugs, reduce skin itching: So in case of itching, what drugs should be applied to hands, feet, and mouth? If you encounter a situation with many large and broken blisters, you can apply an antiseptic such as methylene blue, silver ion cream... If it's a lot itchy, you can use an antihistamine. Oral medicine: The rash often grows in the oral cavity, the lining of the tongue, throat, ... should make the child uncomfortable, stop eating, ... in this case should use antibiotic gel, topical antiseptic or analgesic anesthetic to reduce superinfection, relieve pain. However, children with mouth ulcers can be very painful, uncooperative, this case may not use oral medications because this lesion is benign, so it can heal on its own. Corticosteroid anti-inflammatory drugs: Corticosteroid anti-inflammatory drugs are not recommended for use in people with hand, foot and mouth disease undergoing outpatient treatment. Corticosteroid anti-inflammatory drugs are a group of drugs that affect the immune system, endocrine system... so the drug should only be used in severe cases, inpatient treatment. There are still many people who buy hand-foot-and-mouth medicine on their own, however, when having hand, foot and mouth disease, it is necessary to consult a specialist before using any medicine. Because all drugs have certain side effects when used in the wrong dosage, indications,...

4. Prevention of hand foot mouth

Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent hand, foot and mouth disease, so the best prevention measure is to practice good hygiene by the following methods:
Wash hands often with soap, before cooking and eating , before feeding the child, after using the toilet. Dispose of used tissues and diapers properly in the trash. Clean the environment and easily contaminated objects with water, disinfect with common detergents When sneezing and coughing, cover your mouth and nose, then wash your hands with soap and water; Clean house, garden, play place clean, regularly. For shared toys, disinfect daily with detergents, rinse with water and wipe with disinfectant wipes. Do not prepare rice and food for children and do not use hands to pick up food directly for children. In case of illness, it is necessary to self-isolate and immediately go to a medical facility for treatment. Hand, foot and mouth disease is a disease that is very easy to get, if not proactively prevented and effectively treated, it is very easy to cause dangerous complications. In addition, children in the period from 6 months to 3 years old are very susceptible to respiratory problems, respiratory infections, skin diseases and gastrointestinal infections... special attention to the care and provision of adequate nutrition for children.
Pediatrics department at Vinmec International General Hospital is the address for receiving and examining diseases that infants and young children are susceptible to: viral fever, bacterial fever, otitis media, pneumonia in With a system of facilities, modern medical equipment, sterile space, minimizing the impact as well as the risk of disease spread, Vinmec will bring satisfaction to customers. Products and is highly appreciated by experts in the industry with:
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