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.