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. 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. Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease (PDF) HH-I -211 11/01, Revised 8/18 Copyright 2001, Nationwide Children’s Hospital You Might Also Be Interested InWhat is hand foot and mouth called in adults?These sores, called herpangina, appear as spots — usually in the back of the mouth. These spots can blister and become painful. At the same time or shortly after these sores appear, an itchy skin rash can develop on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
Is there another virus that looks like hand foot and mouth?Herpangina and hand, foot and mouth disease are both illnesses that are caused by the Coxsackie virus. Herpangina causes ulcers at the back of the mouth. Hand, foot and mouth disease causes blisters on any combination of the hands, feet and the mouth.
What are the two types of HFMD?Coxsackieviruses are part of a viral genus called Enterovirus. They are divided into two groups: group A coxsackievirus and group B coxsackievirus.
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