What is hand, foot and mouth disease?

Hand, foot and mouth disease gets its name from the blister-like rash that forms on your hands, feet and mouth. The rash can actually appear anywhere on your body, including your trunk, extremities, genitals and buttocks. A virus causes this very infectious disease. It tends to spread quickly among children in daycare and schools.

Who might get hand, foot and mouth disease?

Infants and children younger than 5 are most likely to get hand, foot and mouth disease. Still, older children and even adults can get it. It’s possible to catch the virus multiple times.

How long is hand, foot and mouth disease contagious?

You’re most contagious during the first few days of the illness, often before the rash appears. The blisters usually dry up in about 10 days. You’re less likely to spread it to others once the blisters dry up. However, the virus can live in stool for weeks after the rash goes away.

Is hand, foot and mouth disease the same as foot-and-mouth disease?

No. Foot-and-mouth disease is also known as hoof-and-mouth disease because it only affects livestock. Cows, sheep, goats and pigs can get it, but humans can’t. Different viruses cause the two diseases.

What causes hand, foot and mouth disease? How does it spread?

Viruses belonging to the enterovirus family cause hand, foot and mouth disease. Most often, a strain of the coxsackie virus is to blame. The disease is highly contagious and spreads through:

• Airborne droplets when person who’s infected sneezes or coughs.
• Contact with an infected person’s stool (poop) and then touching your mouth, eyes or nose.
• Direct contact with an infected person’s blisters.
• Kissing or hugging someone who has the virus.
• Sharing eating utensils, cups, towels or clothing.
• Touching contaminated toys, surfaces, doorknobs or other items and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

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

Symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease typically appear within three to seven days after exposure. When the illness starts, you or your child might have a mild fever, sore throat, runny nose and little appetite. After a couple of days, these flu-like symptoms go away and these new symptoms develop:

• Itchy rash on the palms of your hand, soles of your feet, knees, elbows, genitals or butt cheeks.
• Painful mouth sores.
• Swollen lymph nodes in your neck.

How is hand, foot and mouth disease diagnosed?

A healthcare provider can diagnose the illness by looking at the blisters. Occasionally, they’ll test for the virus by sending throat swab samples, or samples taken from blisters or stool, to a lab.

If you know you or your child have been exposed to the virus, alert your provider before scheduling an exam. To protect the health of others, your provider may want to conduct a “virtual” telemedicine visit and make treatment suggestions over the phone/computer.

How is hand, foot and mouth disease managed or treated?

Symptoms from hand, foot and mouth disease are typically mild. Most people improve in a week or two with minimal at-home care. Your healthcare provider may recommend:

• Over-the-counter pain relievers for fever and pain, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®) and ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®).
• For people old enough to gargle, “magic mouthwash,” a prescription combination of an antacid (Maalox®), a liquid antihistamine (Benadryl®) and a painkiller such as lidocaine.

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

Complications from hand, foot and mouth disease are rare. Occasionally, these problems occur:

• Dehydration: Mouth sores can make drinking and eating painful. It’s important to drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration.
• Nail loss: Some people lose a few fingernails or toenails after having the virus. The nails grow back.
• Viral meningitis and encephalitis: A very small number of people with hand, foot and mouth disease develop meningitis and encephalitis. These rare conditions cause dangerous swelling of the brain (encephalitis), and brain and spinal cord membrane swelling (meningitis).

How does hand, foot and mouth disease affect pregnancy?

The virus rarely causes issues for pregnant women. Still, you should notify your doctor if you’re expecting and are exposed to the virus.

How can I prevent hand, foot and mouth disease?

The virus that causes hand, foot and mouth disease is highly contagious. The infection often spreads before a person realizes they’re sick. You can slow or stop the spread of the illness through these good hygiene steps:

• Cover sneezes and coughs with the crook of your elbow.
• Disinfect high-touch items, such as toys, countertops and doorknobs.
• Don’t share eating utensils, cups, towels, blankets or clothing.
• Keep infected children away from healthy children.
• Wash your child’s clothing, bedding and any other soiled items.
• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

What should I expect if I or my child gets hand, foot and mouth disease?

While hand, foot and mouth disease is uncomfortable, it rarely causes long-term issues. Most children and adults recover in fewer than two weeks with minimal treatment. It’s possible to have hand, foot and mouth disease multiple times.

When should I call the doctor?

You should call a healthcare provider if you or your child:

• Aren’t drinking enough liquids to prevent dehydration.
• Have a fever that lasts more than three days.
• Don’t seem to be improving after 10 days.
• Have severe itching or blistering.
• Have a weakened immune system.

What questions should I ask my doctor?

If you or your child have hand, foot and mouth disease, you may want to ask your doctor:

• How long are we contagious?
• How long should my child stay home from school?
• How long should I stay home from work?
• Should I notify my child’s school (or my work) about the infection?
• What steps can I take to ensure other family members don’t get infected?
• What can I do to make myself or my child more comfortable?
• What can I do to alleviate symptoms like an itchy rash or mouth pain?
• How long will the rash last?
• Can the infection come back?
• What steps can I take to prevent getting hand, foot and mouth disease again?
• Should I look out for any signs of complications?

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease tend to be mild and go away with minimal treatment in fewer than two weeks. Because the virus is highly contagious, it’s important to practice good hygiene and take steps to keep it from infecting others. Your healthcare provider can give suggestions for symptom relief and offer tips for keeping other people healthy and virus-free.