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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. The 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. Since
HFMD is a virus, antibiotics will not help. The following may help your child feel better: To soothe a sore throat: Call the doctor if your child has:Signs and Symptoms
Treatment
to swallow.When to Call the Doctor
- Neck pain or chest pain
- Pus, drainage, swelling, or a large area of redness around any sores
- Trouble swallowing
- Signs of dehydration
- Dry or sticky mouth,
- An infant’s “soft spot” pulling in
- No tears, sunken eyes
- No wet diaper for 4 to 6 hours (infants and toddlers)
- Very dark urine, or
- No urination in 6 to 8 hours (older children)
- Younger than 3 months and has a rectal temperature of 100.4˚ F or higher
- Older than 3 months and has a rectal or armpit (axillary) temperature more than 102˚ F that does not come down with medicine
- 4 years or older, has an oral temperature more than 102˚ F for more than 3 days that does not come down with medicine
- Seizures, is overly tired, not able to focus, or has a hard time communicating or waking up
- Does not get better in a few days
Prevention
There 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:
- Teach your child not to touch the rash, avoid putting his fingers or toys in his mouth, and not rub his eyes.
- Teach your child to sneeze or cough into a tissue or his or her shirt sleeve.
- Wash your hands with soap and water often. Wash after touching the rash, going to the bathroom, before handling food, before eating, and after changing a diaper. Also, teach your child to wash his or her hands often.
- Disinfect bathrooms, toys, and other objects that your child touches with soap and water, or other household disinfectant. The virus can live on these things for days.
- Do not share drinking cups, eating utensils, napkins, or personal items like towels and brushes.
- Avoid hugging and kissing a child who is infected.
When to return to school or daycare
Tell 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.
Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease (PDF)
HH-I -211 11/01, Revised 8/18 Copyright 2001, Nationwide Children’s Hospital