If you have a young child in daycare, you’ve probably heard about hand-foot-mouth (HFM) disease going around right now. HFM is a viral illness caused by a family of viruses that usually circulate in the summer and fall months. It is very contagious, and it is most common in young children, but older children and adults can get it too. The viruses that cause HFM can present in a lot of different ways. The classic pattern is fever (sometimes as high as 104) for 1-2 days, followed by eruption of a rash. The rash can be found in different forms, but the most common way it is seen is with flat or slightly raised red spots on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. There can also be rash on the extremities, trunk, or diaper area. The “mouth” part of HFM disease usually involves ulcers in the back of the mouth that can make swallowing very painful.
Hand-foot-mouth disease is transmitted by respiratory secretions like saliva, but can also be transmitted in the stool of an infected person. After someone is exposed, symptoms can begin as early as 3 days later. When a person is infected with a virus causing HFM, they are usually most contagious for around 5-7 days depending on the severity of symptoms. During the infection, the most important priority is hydration since many children, especially infants, have painful swallowing and may become dehydrated due to not drinking enough fluids. Skin care with good moisturizers may help the rash to heal quicker. An uncommon but strange after-effect of HFM disease is that sometimes fingernails or toenails may shed several weeks after infection!
Good hygiene such as hand washing is important to help limit the spread of hand-foot-mouth disease. Sometimes daycare centers may close if enough cases are identified in order to prevent further spread. If you are concerned about your child possibly having hand-foot-mouth disease, please call our clinic or schedule an appointment online for one of our pediatricians to evaluate your child and help you navigate this illness.