Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a highly contagious infection that typically causes fever, sores, and a skin rash. It primarily affects young children, although adults can get it too, and it can be common on college campuses. HFMD usually emerges during the summer and autumn months.
What are the causes?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that HFMD is caused by a virus called Coxsackie. You can catch this virus through:
- Close contact with someone who is sick, like hugging, kissing, or sharing utensils
- Touching droplets from a sick person's cough or sneeze
- Coming into contact with an infected person's poop, for example, when changing diapers and then touching your face
- Touching objects or surfaces that are contaminated with the virus
People can spread the virus even if they're not showing symptoms, making it very contagious.
Symptoms of hand, foot, and mouth disease
The disease is named for the sores it causes in the mouth, as well as the rash that often appears on the hands, feet, and other parts of the body. The symptoms include:
- Fever
- Decreased appetite
- Sore throat
- Painful sores in the mouth, which start as small red spots and can blister
- A skin rash with red spots. Sometimes blisters develop on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. It can also appear on other parts of the body, like the knees, elbows, and genital area.
How is the disease diagnosed?
Your pediatrician can determine if your child has HFMD by evaluating the symptoms you describe and examining your child's mouth sores and rash. Depending on the severity of your child's symptoms, your pediatrician may collect samples from your child's body and send them to a laboratory for testing.
If your child is diagnosed with HFMD, it is important to inform your childcare provider or school. They may need to notify other parents and staff members to watch for symptoms among the children.
How long does it last?
Most people recover within one to two weeks. While complications are rare, some people may develop serious conditions like viral meningitis or encephalitis.
Treatment and prevention of hand, foot, and mouth disease
Treatment is focused on relieving symptoms of HFMD. Contact your pediatrician if your child’s fever lasts more than 3 days, or their mouth sores or sore throat prevent them from drinking fluids. You should give your child plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
Here are some home treatment tips:
- Offer cool liquids, ice cream, or ice pops to soothe a sore throat.
- Avoid spicy or acidic foods that can irritate mouth sores.
- Use acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain and fever, but never give aspirin to children due to the risk of Reye syndrome.
The American Academy of Pediatrics says one of the best ways to prevent hand, foot, and mouth disease is to maintain good hand hygiene. Washing hands frequently, avoiding contact with those who are sick, and not sharing utensils or personal items are all good steps to take to help avoid getting sick. Additionally, it's important to keep children with a fever at home rather than sending them to school or daycare to help prevent the spread of the disease.
