What To Know About Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease – Cleveland Clinic

Your child is irritable, has a fever, and walks through the tissues as if there is no tomorrow.

Then they won’t eat.

Then you see a rash. The mother of their best friend from kindergarten calls and says that her child is not feeling well either.

And now it all makes sense.

It could be hand disease, foot-and-mouth disease, a common but highly contagious childhood disease that spreads very quickly through households, kindergartens and schools.

“Like most viruses, hand, foot-and-mouth, and mouth-borne viruses are quite contagious,” says pediatrician Dana Schmidt, MD. “So in a kindergarten or school, it can spread very quickly.”

The disease of the hands, foot-and-mouth disease, caused by a strain of the Coxsackie virus, is best known for its blistering rash that appears on, you guessed it, hands, feet, and mouth. However, contrary to its name, the rash can appear all over the body.

Dr. Schmidt will answer your most pressing questions about this common and highly contagious disease.

In which stages of hand disease, foot and mouth disease?

BUT: Hand disease, foot-and-mouth disease will initially look like a cold. After a few days, a rash will begin to form.

Stage 1 | Days 1-2: cold symptoms

The first symptoms of hand disease, foot-and-mouth disease are similar to a cold and include:

• Fever (99.5 degrees F/37.5 degrees Celsius or higher in children when measured by mouth).
• Lack of appetite.
• Runny nose.
• Sore throat.

It is during this first phase of the disease that you are most contagious and most likely to pass the virus on to others, according to Dr. Schmidt.

Stage 2 | Day 3: Mouth ulcers

After initial symptoms appear, you may notice small sores in your mouth, including on your gums, tongue, and palate. The spots may look like small red bumps or large open sores.

These ulcers can cause pain when swallowing, so people with hand, foot and mouth disease are often unwilling to eat. It is also common for mouth ulcers to cause salivation in children.

Sometimes the rash stops in the mouth. This is called herpetic sore throat (and the advice below still applies).

Stage 3 | Day 4: skin rash

The next day, you may notice that the sores have spread to your arms and legs, and possibly elsewhere.

“Signs of the virus are a rash that appears on the arms, legs, and mouth, but the rash can often be found all over the body, including the trunk and genitals,” says Dr. Schmidt.

The appearance of the rash can vary from person to person. Some people develop small red spots that do not cause any discomfort. Others may have large patches, sometimes filled with pus, that may be painful. Spots can contain the virus, so if possible, avoid touching the rash and wash your hands thoroughly after contact with blisters. The rash usually does not itch.

The spots should disappear in about 10 days.

Q: How long are you contagious?

BUT: You are most contagious with hand disease, foot-and-mouth disease in the first few days of illness – often before blisters appear. Once the blisters have dried, you are less likely to pass the virus on, although it may live in your stool for several weeks after the rash has cleared.

Hand diseases, foot-and-mouth disease can be spread in several ways:

• Droplets are released when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
• Direct contact with blisters.
• Shared items such as dishes, towels, clothes, surfaces, and toys.
• Through faeces. Be sure to wash your hands immediately if you change diapers, tightening products, or otherwise come into contact with an infected person’s stool.

If your child becomes infected, prevent the spread of the infection by keeping them out of daycare, school, or other group activities. If you are infected, stay at home, do not go to work or school.

Q: Can caregivers get hand, foot and mouth disease?

BUT: Yes. Hand disease, foot and mouth disease is very common and usually affects infants and children under 5 years of age. But because they are highly contagious, they can spread to family members and caregivers. It can affect older children, teenagers and adults.

Q: Can you get sick twice?

BUT: Yes. Dr. Schmidt explains that because several viruses can cause hand disease, foot and mouth disease, it is possible to contract the virus multiple times.

Prevention of diseases of the hands, foot and mouth disease

There are a few things you can do to prevent or reduce the spread of hand disease, foot-and-mouth disease:

• Wash your hands frequently, especially after changing diapers.
• Disinfect all contaminated surfaces with bleach and water or disinfectant wipes.
• Wash your child’s clothes, bedding, and any other dirty items.
• Stay away from other people, especially in the early days of illness.

Treatment of hands, feet and mouth disease

A disease of the hands, foot-and-mouth disease has no specific treatment, although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that most people recover on their own within seven to 10 days. But you can treat the symptoms of the virus with over-the-counter pain relievers.

It is also important to avoid dehydration. Because mouth ulcers can cause discomfort when eating and drinking, dehydration is a common side effect. Avoid acidic foods and drinks, such as orange juice, as they can irritate mouth ulcers. Stick to softer or colder foods. Older children and adults can also relieve discomfort with salt water rinses, although this treatment is not recommended for infants, toddlers, and young children.

Be especially vigilant if hand, foot and mouth disease symptoms become severe, or if you or your child has a weak immune system or dehydration. Talk to your health care provider if the fever does not go away after three days or if all symptoms do not improve after 10 days.