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: Show
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 foot and mouth called?Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFM) is a common viral infection that causes painful red blisters in the mouth and throat, and on the hands, feet, and diaper area. The coxsackievirus causes most HFM infections.
What causes coxsackievirus?Coxsackieviruses are part of the enterovirus family of viruses (which also includes polioviruses and hepatitis A virus) that can live in the human digestive tract. The viruses can spread from person to person, usually on unwashed hands and surfaces contaminated by feces (poop), where they can live for several days.
What is the difference between Coxsackie and hand foot and mouth?Coxsackievirus infection is contagious and the virus can spread by coming into contact with respiratory secretions from infected patients. Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a common childhood illness caused by a virus, coxsackievirus A-16.
What are the first signs of Coxsackie?The most common signs and symptoms of coxsackievirus infections are initially fever, a poor appetite, and respiratory illness, including sore throat, cough, and malaise (feeling tired). This incubation period lasts about 1-2 days.
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