Hand, Foot, & Mouth Disease is a viral illness caused by several different viruses that inhabit the human intestinal tract. Generally, this illness is mild.
Humans are the only known source of this illness. Foot and Mouth disease of cattle, sheep, and swine does not transfer to humans.
Disease Facts
Anyone can get Hand, Foot, & Mouth disease. Humans are the only known source for these viruses. Because there are several different viruses that cause the same disease, a person can get the illness more than once.
Through direct contact with nose and throat discharges and feces of infected persons. A virus is also present in the blister-like lesions. This illness spreads easily in daycares and among children and their caretakers.
Some people experience sudden fever and sore throat along with small, grayish-white lesions or sores. These lesions may be present on the soft tissue inside the mouth. Some people experience lesions that are raised and/or blister-like elsewhere on the body, most notably the palms, fingers, and soles of the feet. These lesions may last for 7-10 days.
Usually, lesions appear 3-5 days after exposure.
A person can be considered infectious during the time symptoms are present. These viruses inhabit the human intestinal tract and may persist in stool for several weeks, even after symptoms disappear.
Generally, no. Unless a child has a fever, there is excessive or uncontrolled drooling from the mouth, or the child is unable to participate in programming. Exclusion may also apply if staff determine that care for the sick child would compromise care for other children in the facility.
Note: exclusion does not effectively reduce the spread of the disease in childcare settings. This is because not everyone who sheds the virus develops symptoms. Others may shed the virus for weeks in stool after symptoms are resolved. Handwashing is the most effective method of reducing spread of the virus.
Virus may be detected in lesions, secretions from the nose or throat, or from stool specimens. Since many viruses may produce the same syndrome, these tests are not always routinely done.
There is no specific treatment. Symptoms will generally resolve on their own. There are some medications available to temporarily ease the discomfort from the lesions. Complications are rare. Talk with your healthcare provider if you or your child need help managing symptoms.
Reduce person-to-person contact when feasible, such as avoiding crowded gatherings. Good personal hygiene is important in preventing spread, especially handwashing after using the bathroom or changing diapers. Hand hygiene is also important after contact with mucus from the nose, throat, or soiled clothing.
Encourage adults and children to use tissues and cover their mouth with their elbows when sneezing or coughing. Use good hand hygiene before eating or preparing food, or after contact with a sick person. Cleaning and disinfection of high touch surfaces is also beneficial.