Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common viral infection, especially among children. While it’s typically known for causing fever, rashes on the hands and feet, and painful mouth sores, some parents are surprised when their child begins throwing up with hand foot and mouth. This article explores whether HFMD causes vomiting, why it happens, and what you can do to manage it.

Can Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Cause Vomiting?

Yes, it can. Although vomiting is not the most common symptom of HFMD, it is reported in many cases. This leads to questions like:

• Can hand foot and mouth disease cause throwing up?
  
  
• Does hand foot and mouth disease cause vomiting?
  
  
• Can hand foot mouth cause vomiting?
  
  

The answer is yes—vomiting can occur, especially in the early stages of infection. It may not happen in every case, but hand foot and mouth with vomiting is not unusual, especially in younger children.

Why Does Vomiting Occur with HFMD?

There are a few reasons why your child might be throwing up with hand foot and mouth:

1. High Fever: The body’s reaction to viral infection often includes high temperature, which can lead to nausea or vomiting.
   
   
2. Painful Mouth Sores: When eating becomes painful due to sores in the mouth, children may avoid food and water, leading to hand foot mouth disease vomiting from dehydration or an empty stomach.
   
   
3. Viral Response: Some children’s bodies simply react to viral infections like HFMD by vomiting, as part of their immune response.
   
   
4. Dehydration: Lack of fluids due to painful swallowing or persistent fever may trigger nausea and vomiting.
   
   

How Long Does Vomiting Last with Hand, Foot, and Mouth?

How long does vomiting last with hand foot and mouth? Typically, vomiting is short-lived—lasting about 24 to 48 hours. It usually occurs in the early stages of the illness, before or alongside fever and rash development.

If vomiting continues for more than 2 days or is severe, it's important to seek medical advice. Persistent vomiting can lead to dehydration, especially in young children.

What to Do If Your Child Has HFMD with Vomiting

If your child is experiencing vomiting with HFMD, here are a few steps to help them recover comfortably:

• Hydrate Frequently: Offer sips of water, electrolyte solutions, or clear fluids.
  
  
• Rest and Recovery: Let your child rest as their body fights the infection.
  
  
• Soft, Cold Foods: If they're able to eat, give soothing foods like yogurt, ice cream, or applesauce.
  
  
• Monitor for Dehydration: Signs include dry lips, sunken eyes, no urination, or lethargy.
  
  
• Talk to a Doctor: Especially if vomiting continues, or you see signs of serious illness.
  
  

When to Seek Medical Help

Seek immediate medical attention if:

• Vomiting lasts more than 48 hours
  
  
• Your child can’t keep down any fluids
  
  
• There's no urine output for 8 hours or more
  
  
• Your child is unusually sleepy or hard to wake
  
  
• High fever doesn’t go down with medication
  
  

Final Thoughts

So, does hand foot and mouth cause vomiting? Yes, it can. While not as common as rashes and sores, hand foot mouth throwing up is a known and sometimes concerning symptom. Thankfully, in most cases, it’s short-term and manageable at home with hydration, rest, and comfort care.

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