Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease: Online GP Advice and Care in Ireland

Hand, foot and mouth disease is a highly contagious viral infection that commonly causes painful mouth ulcers and small blisters on the hands and feet of young children in Ireland. While the infection typically clears up without treatment within seven to ten days, an online GP consultation can help confirm the diagnosis, advise on symptom management, and provide necessary sick certificates or carer's notes.

If you suspect your child has hand, foot and mouth disease, you can speak to an Irish-registered doctor today via NOVAGP.IE. Our clinical service is led by Dr Waqar Syed, an IMC-registered GP with over 15 years of medical experience, including five years of practicing in Ireland.

What is hand, foot and mouth disease?

Hand, foot and mouth disease is a common childhood illness caused by a group of viruses. The most frequent cause is the coxsackievirus. This virus belongs to the enterovirus family.

It is important to note that this illness is entirely different from foot-and-mouth disease. Foot-and-mouth disease only affects farm animals such as cattle, sheep, and pigs. Humans cannot contract the animal virus, and animals cannot contract the human virus.

What are the main symptoms of the infection?

The symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease usually appear in stages rather than all at once. The first signs of infection are often a mild fever, a sore throat, and a loss of appetite.

Within one to two days after the fever starts, painful sores or ulcers can develop inside the mouth. These ulcers usually start as small red spots and can make swallowing uncomfortable.

Shortly after the mouth sores appear, a skin rash may develop on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. This rash consists of flat red spots that sometimes turn into small blisters. The rash is generally not itchy, but the blisters can feel tender to the touch. In some cases, the rash may also appear on the knees, elbows, or buttocks.

How does the virus spread in Ireland?

The virus is highly contagious and spreads easily from person to person. It is commonly passed through close personal contact, such as coughing or sneezing. It can also spread through contact with fluid from the blisters or the stool of an infected person.

Because the virus spreads so easily through unwashed hands and shared surfaces, outbreaks are very common in Irish creches, pre-schools, and primary schools. These outbreaks frequently occur during the summer and autumn months in counties across Ireland, including Dublin, Cork, Galway, and Limerick. Good hand hygiene is the most effective way to slow down the spread of the virus.

When should you consult an online GP?

Most cases of hand, foot and mouth disease are mild and can be managed safely at home. However, you should consult an online GP if you are concerned about your child's symptoms.

Medical advice is particularly important if your child is unable to drink enough liquids due to mouth pain. Signs of dehydration in young children include crying with few or no tears, dry mouth, and having fewer wet nappies than usual.

You should also contact a doctor if your child's fever remains high after taking paracetamol or ibuprofen. If the symptoms do not improve after ten days, or if your child has a weakened immune system, a medical evaluation is necessary.

How is hand, foot and mouth disease treated?

There is no specific cure or vaccine for hand, foot and mouth disease. Because it is a viral infection, antibiotics do not work against it.

Treatment focuses entirely on relieving pain and keeping the patient comfortable while the immune system fights the virus. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can help reduce fever and soothe mouth pain. You must always follow the dosage instructions for your child's age group.

To prevent dehydration, encourage your child to drink plenty of cold fluids. Water, milk, or diluted fruit juices are good choices. You should avoid giving them acidic, salty, or spicy foods, as these can irritate the mouth ulcers. Soft foods like yoghurt and jelly are often easier to swallow.

Why choose NOVAGP.IE for online care?

At NOVAGP.IE, we offer secure video and telephone consultations with Irish-registered GPs seven days a week. You do not need to download an app or pay a subscription fee to use our service. We charge one fixed fee per service, with no after-hours, weekend, or public holiday surcharges.

During your consultation, our doctors can review your child’s symptoms, offer practical treatment advice, and send any necessary prescriptions directly to your local Irish pharmacy using the secure Healthmail system. If you need to take time off work to care for your sick child, we can also issue a carer’s certificate directly to your email. All patient records are securely hosted in the EU in full compliance with Irish GDPR regulations.

Speak to an Irish GP Today

If you need professional medical advice, a diagnosis, or a carer's certificate for hand, foot and mouth disease, the clinical team at NOVAGP.IE is here to help. Book your online video or telephone appointment today and speak with an Irish-registered doctor from the comfort of your own home.

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