10/06/2025
🦠👶 Georgia is seeing a sharp rise in hand-foot-and-mouth disease cases this year — more than twice as many as last year. Outbreaks have been noted in DeKalb, Fayette, Gwinnett, and Cobb counties.
👉 What parents should know:
Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease is a common viral infection that causes small blisters on the hands ✋, feet 👣, and mouth 👄 — often with fever or sore throat. It’s contagious but usually mild and clears up in about a week.
💡 What Parents Can Do to Help Prevent the Spread
🧼 1️⃣ Wash hands — often and well.
Teach kids to wash with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds after using the bathroom, wiping noses, or before eating. This is the #1 way to stop HFMD from spreading!
🚫 2️⃣ Avoid sharing items.
No sharing cups, utensils, towels, or snacks 🍎. The virus spreads easily through saliva, drool, and surfaces.
🧴 3️⃣ Disinfect high-touch areas.
Clean toys, doorknobs, remotes, and counters daily 🧽. HFMD can live on surfaces for hours.
🏠 4️⃣ Keep sick kids home.
Children with fever, mouth sores, or rash should stay home until they’re fever-free for 24 hours and feeling better 🏫💤.
👂 If ear pain, congestion, or throat irritation linger — call us and schedule an appointment. (404) 252-4611
https://bit.ly/SandySpringsPediatrics
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Providing best-in-class Pediatric care from infancy to young adulthood; 6 Board-Certified MDs.
