These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance. Show These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance. Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease (HFMD) is a common childhood illness caused by a virus. It easily spreads from person to person (contagious) when someone comes in contact with the body fluids of an infected person. This can happen by:
It is most common in young children under age 5 years, but teenagers or adults may also get the virus. Most outbreaks occur in the summer and fall. Symptoms of HFMD usually go away without treatment in 5 to 7 days. Signs and SymptomsThe early symptoms of HFMD are much like a common cold.
A day or two after the fever, you might see:
After the rash has healed, the skin may peel; but this is harmless. TreatmentSince HFMD is a virus, antibiotics will not help. The following may help your child feel better:
To soothe a sore throat:
When to Call the DoctorCall the doctor if your child has:
PreventionThere is no vaccine to prevent HFMD. The virus spreads easiest during the first week the person is sick. It can stay in the body for weeks after your child feels better and still be a problem to others. To prevent spreading HFMD:
When to return to school or daycareTell the daycare or the school that your child has Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease. It is important for the school personnel to know so staff and parents can be told to watch for symptoms. Your child should stay home from school or childcare until he or she has no fever for 24 hours and the mouth sores and open blisters have healed. What is the last stage of handThe final stage of the illness is manifested by small, tender red spots that progress to blisters in the mouth, palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and less frequently on the arms and legs, as well as the buttock and genital areas.
How do you get rid of handThere's no specific treatment for hand-foot-and-mouth disease. Symptoms of hand-foot-and-mouth disease usually clear up in 7 to 10 days. A topical oral anesthetic may help relieve the pain of mouth sores.
How do you know when handBecause hand-foot-and-mouth disease is highly contagious, people with the illness should limit their exposure to others while they have symptoms. Keep children with hand-foot-and-mouth disease out of their child care setting or school until fever is gone and mouth sores have healed.
Is handIf you have HFMD, you are the most contagious for the first week, until the blisters scab over, however, you can be contagious for several days after your symptoms go away.
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