Last Reviewed: October 2011 Show
What is hand, foot and mouth disease?Hand, foot and mouth disease is a viral infection caused by a strain of Coxsackie virus. It causes a blister-like rash that, as the name implies, involves the hands, feet and mouth. (Hand, foot and mouth disease is different than foot-and-mouth disease, which is an infection of cattle, pigs, sheep, goats and deer and is caused by a different virus.) Who gets hand, foot and mouth disease?The infection usually occurs in children under 10 years of age, but occasionally can occur in young adults. How is it spread?The virus is spread by direct contact with nose and throat discharges, blisters and feces of infected people. What are the symptoms and when do they start?Symptoms of fever, poor appetite, runny nose and sore throat can appear three to five days after exposure. A blister-like rash on the hands, feet and in the mouth usually develops one to two days after the initial symptoms. When and how long can someone spread the disease?A person is contagious when the first symptoms appear and may continue until the blister-like skin lesions disappear. The virus has been known to be shed in the stool for up to several weeks. How is hand, foot and mouth disease diagnosed?The diagnosis is generally suspected on the appearance of blister-like rash on hands and feet and mouth in a child with a mild febrile illness. Although specific viral tests are available to confirm the diagnosis, they are rarely performed due to expense and length of time needed to complete the tests. Does a prior infection with Coxsackie virus make a person immune?Specific immunity can occur, but a second episode is possible from a different strain of Coxsackie virus. What is the treatment?There is no specific treatment. Treatment is aimed at fever control and maintaining good oral hydration. Can there be complications associated with hand, foot and mouth disease?The illness is typically mild, complications are rare. More serious infections have been seen recently with a certain strain of Coxsackie viral infection in Indonesia. What can be done to prevent the spread of this disease?Children who feel ill or have a fever should be excluded from group settings until the fever is gone and the child feels well. Thorough hand washing and care with diaper changing practices is important as well. Is there a risk for pregnant women?There is debate as to any congenital disorders related to Coxsackie viral infections and pregnancy. Pregnant women should consult their obstetrician for further information.
'Hand, foot and mouth disease' and 'foot and mouth disease' are different diseases. Foot and mouth disease affects animals, not humans and an outbreak has been reported in cattle in Indonesia and has since spread to Bali. For more information on foot and mouth disease, visit the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry website. Hand, foot and mouth disease is a very common viral disease of childhood which is easily passed from person to person. It usually causes a mild illness but rarely causes serious illness. It is not related to the foot and mouth disease that affects animals. Good hygiene helps prevent infection.
Last updated: 26 July 2022What is hand, foot and mouth disease?Hand, foot and mouth disease is a common but highly contagious infection in children caused by enteroviruses, including coxsackieviruses. While generally a mild illness, some children will have fever, sore throat and tiredness and blisters which can be uncomfortable. It mainly occurs in children under 10 years of age but can also occur in older children and adults. It is not related to the foot and mouth disease that affects animals. What are the symptoms?
How is it spread?
Who is at risk?
How is it prevented?Good hygiene is the best protection:
How is it diagnosed?Your doctor can diagnose hand, foot and mouth disease based on the symptoms. Laboratory tests are not usually necessary. How is it treated?
What are the signs of a serious infection?Signs that an infant or older child might have a more serious form of hand, foot and mouth disease include any of the following:
If any of these signs are present then the child should be seen by a doctor urgently even if they have been checked earlier in the illness. Blisters in the mouth may also make it painful for children to swallow fluids. If a child continues to refuse fluids by mouth they should also be seen by a doctor. How long should children stay away from childcare and school?
What is the public health response?Hand, foot and mouth disease is not notifiable under the Public Health Act. However, to help prevent spread parents should report the illness to the director of the childcare centre or the school principal. Further informationFor further information please call your local public health unit on 1300 066 055. Information for health professionals See theEnteroviruses (non-polio) and human parechoviruses fact sheet - Information for clinicians. What is the quarantine period for hand foot and mouth?Anyone with HFMD needs to feel well, be fever-free for at least 24 hours, and have all HFMD blisters completely healed for quarantine to end. For most people, this means avoiding contact with others for at least 7 days.
When can a child with hand foot and mouth disease return to school?Return to School:
After contact with HFMD, children come down with symptoms in 3-6 days. Can return to child care or school after the fever is gone. Most often, this takes 2 to 3 days. Children with widespread blisters may need to stay home until the blisters dry up.
How long should a child with hand foot and mouth disease stay out of daycare?Your child should stay home from school or childcare until he or she has no fever for 24 hours and the mouth sores and open blisters have healed.
Are you still contagious with hand foot and mouth if you only have scabs?If you have HFMD, you are the most contagious for the first week, until the blisters scab over, however, you can be contagious for several days after your symptoms go away.
|