Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) is a contagious illness caused by different viruses, but most commonly a group of viruses known as enteroviruses. It is common in infants and children younger than five years old, because they do not yet have immunity to the viruses that cause HFMD.
HFMD is usually not serious in the majority of cases, and nearly all people recover in seven to 10 days without medical treatment. However, there can be rare complications such as viral meningitis or encephalitis (types of brain infections), which can be more severe.
People with HFMD are most contagious during the first week of their illness. However, they may sometimes remain contagious for weeks after symptoms go away. Some people, especially adults, may not develop any symptoms, but they can still spread the viruses to others.
HFMD spreads from an infected person to others from:
Close contact, such as kissing, hugging, or sharing cups and eating utensils.
Coughing and sneezing.
Contact with faeces, for example when changing a diaper.
Contact with blister fluid.
Touching objects or surfaces that have the virus on them.
It is important to maintain good hygiene, like washing hands often with soap and water, to reduce your chances of getting and spreading HFMD.
Symptoms of hand, foot, and mouth disease often include:
Fever
Reduced appetite
Sore throat
Feeling unwell
Painful mouth sores that usually begin as flat, red spots
Rash of flat, red spots that may blister on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and sometimes the knees, elbows, buttocks, and/or genital area
These symptoms usually appear in stages, not all at once. Some people may show no symptoms, but it is possible that they can still pass the virus to others—this is why good hand hygiene is so important.
Treatment:
There is no specific treatment for HFMD. Fever and pain can be managed with simple pain and fever medications like paracetamol or ibuprofen. It is important to get lots of rest and drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration.
Consult your doctor if:
Your child is unable to tolerate fluids or is showing signs of dehydration (for example, reduced number of wet pampers, sunken eyes, lethargy).
Symptoms that are severe or unusual—for example fever not responding to paracetamol, excessive drowsiness, sleepiness, headaches, irritability or seizures.
If your child is younger than three months of age and has a fever, it’s important to call your doctor right away.
Prevention:
You can reduce the risk of getting infected with the viruses that cause HFMD by following a few simple steps:
Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after changing diapers, and help young children do the same.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact such as kissing, hugging, and sharing cups and eating utensils with people who have HFMD.
Disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects, such as toys and doorknobs, especially if someone is sick.
Keep affected children away from school until all the blisters have dried (usually this takes seven days), and the fever has resolved.
Is it possible to get HFMD again?
Yes. A child can have repeat infections with the same type of virus or different viruses that cause hand, foot and mouth disease.
Dr Paula Robertson
Paediatric Emergency Consultant
Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex
Mindful KITES is a non-profit organisation committed to the teaching and nuturing of good mental health practices, mindfulness and emotional resilience, geared towards empowering our nation’s children and young people. Our organization is led by a team with more than 20 years’ collective experience of working with children and young people, and we are passionate about delivering the curriculum we have collaboratively developed.