Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a contagious viral infection common in young children. As suggested by the name, it can cause sores in the mouth and rashes on the hands and feet. Although the disease is generally mild, the blister-like lesions it causes can be painful, especially in older children and adults.

Symptoms of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

Your child will start displaying symptoms three to six days after being infected with hand, foot, and mouth disease. These symptoms include:

• Sore throat
• Fever
• Runny nose
• Muscle aches
• Loss of appetite
• Irritability
• Painful red lesions in the mouth (tongue, gums, and inner cheeks)
• Red rash and blisters on the palms, soles, and buttocks

Fever is usually the first symptom of hand, foot, and mouth disease in children. Shortly afterwards, they will begin to experience a sore throat, muscle aches, and other flu-like symptoms, followed by sores in the mouth one to two days later and a rash on the hands and feet a day or two after that. However, not every child has every symptom. Some children only develop fever and never get the rash. Others only get sores on one body part and no other symptoms.

Causes of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

A number of enteroviruses can cause hand, foot, and mouth disease, but the most common is called coxsackievirus A16. What’s important for parents and caregivers to know about this virus is that it is primarily spread through oral ingestion. This is why hand, foot, and mouth disease can run rampant in daycare centers and preschools—children come into contact with the virus and then put their fingers in the mouths.

The viruses that cause hand, foot, and mouth disease can be spread via:

• Saliva
• Stool
• Fluid from blisters
• Nasal secretions
• Respiratory droplets from coughing and sneezing

Thorough hand washing, good hygiene, frequent disinfection in childcare settings, and isolating children who have the infection are the best ways to prevent the spread of the disease.

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Treatment

There is no cure for hand, foot, and mouth disease; instead, we treat the symptoms. Oral anesthetic can help with painful mouth sores and acetaminophen and ibuprofen can alleviate sore throats, fevers, and muscle aches. Many children with hand, foot, and mouth disease become dehydrated, so it’s important to encourage your child to drink fluids. Symptoms typically resolve on their own in seven to 10 days.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

How is hand, foot, and mouth disease diagnosed?

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is quite common, so we can usually make a diagnosis based on the symptoms your child is experiencing and visually examining their lesions and rash. 

Can adults get hand, foot, and mouth disease from a child?

It’s not common, but it is possible. It’s important to wash your hands well and disinfect high-touch surfaces in your home to prevent other children and adults from contracting the disease.

How long is a child contagious with hand, foot, and mouth disease?

Children are contagious even before they start to develop symptoms and they may be contagious for up to three weeks afterwards. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping children home from school and daycare for as long as they have a fever, don’t feel well, or have open sores. Some childcare centers and schools may have their own stricter guidelines, so it’s important to get in touch with them before sending your child back.