Hand, foot and mouth disease is a common viral illness that mainly affects children under 10 years old but can sometimes affect older children and adults. It is caused by infection with a type of coxsackie virus.

Hand, foot and mouth disease is not the same as foot-and-mouth disease, which affects farm animals.

Hand, foot and mouth disease is highly contagious (spreads very easily from person to person).

It is especially common in Day-care and Kindergartens.

 

What are the symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease?

The symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease usually start 3 to 7 days after you’ve been infected, and typically last for 7 to 10 days.

The most common symptoms are small blisters inside your child’s mouth and on the palms of their hands and the soles of their feet. Sometimes in the nappy area in infants also.

The child may also have other symptoms eg: fever, tiredness, sore throat and/or mouth, making it so eating or drinking is difficult.

In some cases, especially in adults, symptoms may be very mild.

 

What causes hand, foot and mouth disease?

Hand, foot and mouth disease is caused by infection with a type of coxsackie virus. It’s spread through:

• Person to person contact

• Contact with the faeces of an infected person

• Contact with fluid from the infected persons blisters or coughs and sneezes

Blisters typically appear between 3 to 5 days after contact with an infected person. The virus can remain in faeces for several weeks after the person has recovered.

 

How is hand, foot and mouth disease diagnosed?

Your doctor can usually diagnose hand, foot and mouth disease based on you or your child’s age, symptoms and the appearance of the Rash

 

How is hand, foot and mouth disease treated?

There is no specific treatment for the virus that causes hand, foot and mouth disease. Antibiotics DO NOT WORK.

If your child has hand, foot and mouth disease, you can make them feel more comfortable by treating the symptoms:

• Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice on the right product to give your Child

• Sips of water or oral rehydration fluid can stop them becoming dehydrated. Ice blocks or jelly can soothe a sore mouth or throat.

• Give your child soft foods to eat. Avoid foods that could sting a possibly sore mouth.

• Encourage your child to rest. Keep them home from day care or school until their blisters dry up.

Allow any blisters to dry out naturally. DON’T TRY to burst the blisters, as the fluid inside them is infectious.

 

When should I see my doctor?

Young children are at higher risk of serious infection than older children, teenagers and adults. See your doctor if symptoms are severe, if your child is very young, or if they haven’t improved after a few days.