Hand, foot and mouth disease. That's what's making the rounds in Lansing this week.
Dr. Thomas Stout at Mount Hope Community Medical Center, a partner of Ingham Regional, is treating that illness.
The disease usually begins with a fever, poor appetite, malaise, and sore throat.
One to two days after the onset of fever, painful sores develop on the tongue and gums and on inside of the cheeks.
Then a non-itchy skin rash develops, usually on the palms of hands and soles of feet. It may also appear on the buttocks.
You might only get the rash or the mouth sores, not necessarily both.
For symptomatic relief, give your child plenty of cool fluids. Avoid spicy or acidic foods and drinks.
Kids can take acetaminophen or ibuprofen, but do not give your child aspirin.
Call your doctor if your child has a fever higher than 103 degrees, or if symptoms don't improve in about a week.
Hand, foot and mouth disease is very contagious, so it's important that your child doesn't share toys, food or drinks.
It is especially important to wash your hands thoroughly after changing the diaper of a child who is or was infected. The virus can be in the stools of children up to two months after the blisters have healed.