Hand Foot and Mouth Disease Like Illness in Office Practice.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical profile of Hand Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) like illness in a cluster of cases.

METHODS: Children presenting with papulovesicular skin lesions with or without oral lesions were clinically examined, treated and followed up.

RESULTS: Out of 21 cases, 18 (85.7%) were less than 3y and 15 (71.4%) were males. Skin lesions were seen in 100% with predominant involvement of dorsum of hands, feet, palms and soles. Oral lesions were noticed in 20 (95.2%), fever in 14 (66.6%) and upper respiratory infection in 6 (28.6%). Irritability was the presenting feature in infants. Only clinical diagnosis was made. All the children recovered completely. On follow up of 16 (76.2%) cases for 3 mo, no nail changes or any other sequelae were noticed.

CONCLUSIONS: Early clinical diagnosis of HFMD is needed for monitoring and prevention of its spread.