07/23/2025
Wow - we are seeing a lot of HFM right now.
Here is some info:
Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease
Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common viral illness that mostly affects young children, especially those under 5 years old. It is caused by a group of viruses called enteroviruses, most often coxsackievirus A16 and enterovirus 71, but other types can also cause the disease.
How HFMD Spreads
- HFMD spreads easily from person to person through contact with saliva, nasal mucus, fluid from blisters, stool, or respiratory droplets (like from coughing or sneezing).
- Outbreaks are most common in the summer and early fall, but the disease can occur year-round. Pools are frequent culprits !!
- Children in daycare, preschool, or elementary school are at higher risk
Symptoms
- Early symptoms include mild fever, sore throat, and feeling unwell.
- Painful sores (small blisters or ulcers) appear in the mouth, usually on the tongue, gums, and inside of the cheeks.
- A rash with red spots, sometimes with blisters, develops on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and sometimes on the buttocks, elbows, knees, or ge***al area.
- Not all children will have all symptoms, and some may have only a rash or only mouth sores.
- Most children recover within 7–10 days
Possible Complications
- Most cases are mild, but rarely, HFMD can cause more serious problems like dehydration (from not drinking enough due to mouth pain), viral meningitis, encephalitis (brain inflammation), or heart and lung complications.
- Some children may develop nail changes (nail shedding) or peeling of the skin on the hands and feet a few weeks after recovery.
Treatment
- There is no specific medicine to cure HFMD.
- Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms:
- Encourage plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
- Use acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) for pain or fever, following dosing instructions for age and weight.
- Avoid spicy, salty, or acidic foods that may irritate mouth sores.
- Oral numbing gels (like lidocaine) are not recommended for children due to safety concerns.
- Most children can be cared for at home. Seek medical attention if your child is unable to drink, has signs of dehydration (such as dry mouth, no tears, or not urinating), or develops severe headache, stiff neck, trouble breathing, or is very drowsy.
Prevention
- Good handwashing is the best way to prevent HFMD.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and toys.
- Avoid close contact (like hugging, kissing, or sharing cups and utensils) with anyone who has HFMD.
- Keep children with HFMD home from school or daycare until fever is gone and mouth sores have healed, usually about 7 days.
- There is a vaccine for one type of HFMD virus (EV-A71) available in China, but not in the United States or most other countries.
When to Call the Doctor
- If your child is not drinking enough fluids, has a high fever that does not go down, is very sleepy or irritable, or has trouble breathing, seek medical care right away.
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is usually mild and goes away on its own, but careful attention to hydration and hygiene can help your child recover and prevent the spread to others
