The answer

From Katie’s description, Jacob sounds to be suffering from hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD). While the lesions – which typically affect the tongue, inside of the mouth, hands, feet and sometimes the buttocks and groin – appear unpleasant, and the other symptoms of fever, appetite loss, coughing, abdominal pain and sore throat can be debilitating, the viral infection is generally mild and resolves within a week to 10 days without any treatment other than OTC measures such as mouth ulcer treatments and simple painkillers.

Medical advice is only needed for children who:

• Aren’t drinking any fluids or have signs of dehydration
• Develop fits, lose consciousness, or appear weak or confused
• Have skin that is very painful, red, swollen or hot, or there appears to be pus
• Have symptoms that haven’t improved after seven to 10 days or seem to be deteriorating.

Babies under three months of age with a temperature of 38°C or higher, or aged between three and six months with a fever of 39°C or above, should also be seen by a doctor. Advice should also be sought by expectant mothers who develop HFMD towards the end of their pregnancy.