Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease: Vital parenting information from Eyewitness News

The school year is almost over, but the kids are still in close quarters, sharing germs. While you may be worried about influenza strains, among the many other viruses that can make the rounds any time of the year is, Hand Foot and Mouth Disease. Different bouts can make their way around every year.

Dr Joe Matusic, MD/Pediatrician
Hand, foot and mouth disease classically you see high fever, could be 103/104. Sores in the mouth could be inside lip or back of throat. And you have a rash on the palm side of your hand or the sole sides of your feet.

The rash could actually show up anywhere. You'll know it, because it's pinkish in color and the dots are about the size of a pinhead. The virus itself can't be treated. But there is help for mouth sores, a complication of Hand Foot and Mouth Disease.

Dr. Joe Matusic
They can make the mouth hurt so much the child won't eat or drink and they get dehydrated.

At that point doctors would admit your child to the hospital. One thing to remember, HFMD can be hard to identify because it can show up many different ways.

Dr. Joe Matusic
If you have 10 kids with the same strain, some may have the rash and not the sores. Some may have the sores and without the rash. Some have a headache and feel bad for a couple of days and have diarrhea, but don't have the rash or sores. Everyone's a little different in how they manifest it.

Exactly how long this virus lasts varies. And there's no specific treatment for it. Dr. Matusic suggests talking to your doctor about using Tylenol and Motrin to help relieve any discomfort, and he considers the child contagious until they begin to feel better.