🤒 HFMD Supportive Care & Contagion Window Simulator

Symptom Onset — the Contagion Window Opens

Fever and malaise begin as viral shedding starts.

• 3–6 d: Incubation period (placeholder range)
• Fever: First symptoms (placeholder detail)
• Pre-rash: Shedding starts (placeholder detail)
• <5 yrs: Typical age (placeholder detail)

What happens at onset

Placeholder: fever, throat pain, and early viral shedding begin.

Why contagion starts early

Placeholder: virus sheds before visible rash appears.

Pain Management for Oral Ulcers

Cooling and mild analgesia reduce mouth ulcer discomfort.

• Acetaminophen: First-line analgesic (placeholder detail)
• Cold foods: Topical relief (placeholder detail)
• Acidic foods: Avoid (placeholder detail)
• Few–many: Ulcer count (placeholder detail)

Comfort measures

Placeholder: pain relief and soft cold foods ease ulcers.

Placeholder: avoid aspirin in children.

Hydration Strategy During Illness

Small frequent fluids prevent dehydration from painful swallowing.

• Small & often: Fluid approach (placeholder detail)
• Reduced urine: Warning sign (placeholder detail)
• Cool, bland: Preferred drinks (placeholder detail)
• Dehydration: Risk if untreated (placeholder detail)

Keeping fluids up

Placeholder: offer cool liquids frequently in small sips.

Vesicle Healing Progression

Skin and mouth vesicles crust, dry, and fade over days.

• Day 4–5: Healing start (placeholder detail)
• Day 6–8: Crusting (placeholder detail)
• Day 10–14: Full clearance (placeholder detail)
• Rare: Scarring (placeholder detail)

How vesicles resolve

Placeholder: lesions dry, crust, and fade without scarring.

Contagion Window Closes with Vesicle Resolution

Shedding declines as vesicles resolve, allowing return to care.

• ~Day 10+: Contagion end (placeholder detail)
• Fever-free: Return criteria (placeholder detail)
• Stool, weeks: Residual shedding (placeholder detail)
• Different strain: Reinfection risk (placeholder detail)

When it is safe to return

Placeholder: fever-free and vesicles dried before daycare return.

Placeholder: some viral shedding can persist in stool.