Case Study: Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease (HFMD) - Symptoms, Diagnosis

This case study examines Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease (HFMD), a common viral illness affecting young children, particularly during the summer. The case focuses on a two-year-old patient, Bob Clinton, presenting with symptoms including fever, papules on his palms and feet, and difficulty swallowing. The study discusses the typical symptoms, such as rashes with blisters and mouth sores, and emphasizes the importance of clinical diagnosis as diagnostic tests are not always necessary but can include molecular tests like RT-PCR to determine the enterovirus serotype. The treatment plan primarily involves symptomatic relief through antipyretics, analgesics, and proper hydration, while avoiding aspirin. Patient education regarding hygiene and awareness of the disease's spread is crucial for prevention. The study concludes that HFMD typically lasts 7-10 days, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and communication with healthcare providers. Desklib offers additional resources, including past papers and solved assignments, for further study.

Hand- Mouth-Foot Disease-A Case Study

Introduction
 Welcome, everyone. Today the discussion topic will be on a case study of the
Hand,foot,mouth disease( HFMD).
 It is very common disease among the children in US.
.

Introduction
 Hand,foot,mouth disease refers to a common disease in US that mainly attacks the children
aged 1-5 years.
 Hand,foot,mouth disease is a viral disease.
 The occurrence of the disease is mainly in summer.
 The main objective of this presentation is to discuss about the symptoms, medications,
diagnostic tests related to hand,foot,mouth diseases and also about the treatment plan to
combat against this disease(Stewart et al.,2013)

Chief Complaints in HFMD
 Although ,Hand,foot,mouth disease is mild in nature, but it can be threatening ,if it is
neglected.
 The main complain of the patient, named Bob Clinton, was that he could not eat
anything since last two days.
 Bob had high fever from last night.
 The patient has three papules; one in his palm, and another two on his foot.
 He also complained about the itching he had on those papules.
 As Bob had sores throat problem in swallowing.
Figure 1: papules on
hand

Subjective Data-Medication
 There is no specific medications for the hand,foot,mouth disease.
 However, to reduce reduce the pyrexia of Bob, analgesic may be given. This will also
help to reduce the pain.
 As Bob, has problem in swallowing, he should be given intra venous hydration solution.
 Mouthwashes can be given to Bob to reduce the mouth pain.
 Solution can be given to reduce the itching of the papules.

Subjective Data-Medical History
 Bob Clinton is a two years old boy and admitted to the hospital with swallowing problem
and itching problem in palms, soles.
 Cold and cough frequently
 Occasional pyrexia
 No such papules or blisters on skin before.
 Problem in swallowing during throat infection previously.
 No allergic infection previously due to any medicines.

Subjective Data- Family and Social
History
Family History
Previously any family member of Bob had not experienced the hand,foot,mouth disease.
The family member had pyrexia but there was no such symptoms.
Social History
Recently Bob was not exposed to a diseased person.
No friends of Bob is not infected with such disease in recent time.

Objective Data
 Severe pain in legs
 Many blisters and papules on the foot and palm, and tongue.
 2-3 blisters were noted on trunk and also in knee region.
 Complaining high fever.
 Papules are reddish and having the diameter of almost 2mm.
 Bob had reported to be thirsty as he had plenty of fluid lose.
 Onset of chest pain
 Severe chest pain during deep breath .

Diagnosis of HFMD
 The main diagnosis or symptoms of hand,foot,mouth disease are-
 Rash with blisters on feet, palm region, and also in tongue
 Development of mouth sores.
 Lose of hunger
 Fever
Figure 2:Development of hand and leg rashes with blisters

Diagnostic tests for HFMD
 Hand,foot,mouth disease is disease that requires clinicians diagnosis.
 There is no requirement to do diagnostic tests.
 However to determine the serotype of the entero virus family, molecular tests can be
done for example RT-PCR ( Teo & Chu,2016).
 In order to nullify the possibility of herpes simplex disease,Tznack test can be done.
 Throat swabs can be cultured to detect the virus and other immunological tests can be
done.
 Use of IgM ELISA is another effective method to detect.

Treatment plan for HFMD
 The main treatment plan available for the HFMD is symptomic treatment to give some kind
of relief from pyrexia ,pain and aches, also from the pain of mouth sores or ulcers.
 Antipyretics can be given
 Proper hydration
 Use of analgesics
 Do not use Aspirin for pyrexia(Omaña-Cepeda et al.,2016).

Treatment plan for HFMD
 To prevent hand,foot,mouth disease patient education is very important.
 Patients should aware of do’s and don'ts in HFMD disease.
 Doctors should tell the patients and their family members that HFMD can spread in
immunocompetent adults.
 Patient should very much aware of the hygiene issues related to the disease.
 People should be warned about the epidemic condition and the complications that may
happen during this time.