What is Hand Foot and Mouth Disease

Hand Foot and Mouth Disease is a common viral illness. It happens mainly in children who are younger than 10 years old, but adolescents and adults may also get it. The illness often causes:

• Sore throat.
• Sores in the mouth.
• Fever.
• Rash on the hands and feet.

Usually, this condition is not serious. Most people get better within 1–2 weeks.

What are the causes?

This condition is usually caused by a group of viruses called enteroviruses. The disease can spread from person to person (is contagious). A person is most contagious during the first week of the illness. The infection spreads through direct contact with:

• Nose discharge of an infected person.
• Throat discharge of an infected person.
• Stool (feces) of an infected person.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms of this condition include:

• Small sores in the mouth. These may cause pain.
• A rash on the hands and feet, and sometimes on the buttocks. The rash may also occur on the arms, legs, or other areas of the body. The rash may look like small red bumps or sores and may have blisters.
• Fever.
• Body aches or headaches.
• Irritability.
• Decreased appetite.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition can usually be diagnosed with a physical exam in which your health care provider will look at your rash and mouth sores. Tests are usually not needed. In some cases, a stool (feces) sample or a throat swab may be taken to check for the virus or for other infections.

How is this treated?

In most cases, no treatment is needed. People usually get better within 2 weeks without treatment. To help relieve pain or fever, your health care provider may recommend over-the-counter medicines such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. To help relieve discomfort from mouth sores, your health care provider may recommend using:

• Solutions that are rinsed in the mouth.
• Pain-relieving gel that is applied to the sores (topical gel).
• Antacid medicine.

Follow these instructions at home:

Managing pain and discomfort

• Rinse your mouth with a salt-water mixture 3–4 times a day or as needed. To make a salt-water mixture, completely dissolve ½–1 tsp of salt in 1 cup of warm water. This can help to reduce pain from the mouth sores. Your health care provider may also recommend other rinse solutions to treat mouth sores.
• To relieve discomfort when you are eating:
  • Try combinations of foods to see what you can tolerate. Aim for a balanced diet.
  • Eat soft foods. These may be easier to swallow.
  • Avoid foods and drinks that are salty, spicy, or acidic.
  • Avoid alcohol.
  • Try cold food and drinks, such as water, milk, milkshakes, frozen ice pops, slushies, and sherbets. Low-calorie sport drinks are good choices for staying hydrated.

General instructions

• Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.
• Take or apply over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
• Stay away from work, schools, or other group settings during the first few days of the illness, or until your fever is gone.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• Your symptoms get worse or do not improve within 2 weeks.
• You have pain that does not get better with medicine.
• You feel very irritable.
• You have trouble swallowing.
• You develop sores or blisters on your lips or outside of your mouth.
• You have a fever for more than 3 days.

Get help right away if:

• You develop signs of severe dehydration, such as:
  • Decreased urination. This means urinating only very small amounts or urinating fewer than 3 times in a 24-hour period.
  • Urine that is very dark.
  • Dry mouth, tongue, or lips.
  • Decreased tears or sunken eyes.
  • Dry skin.
  • Rapid breathing.
  • Decreased activity or being very sleepy.
  • Pale skin.
  • Fingertips taking longer than 2 seconds to turn pink after a gentle squeeze.
  • Weight loss.
• You have a severe headache.
• You have a stiff neck.
• You experience changes in your behavior.
• You have chest pain.
• You have trouble breathing.

Summary

• Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a common viral illness.
• This disease can spread from person to person (is contagious).
• The illness often causes a sore throat, sores in the mouth, fever, and a rash on the hands and feet.
• Typically, no treatment is needed for this condition. People usually get better within 2 weeks without treatment.
• Get help right away if you develop signs of severe dehydration.