A little over 2 years ago, I wrote a post about Hand Foot and Mouth Disease. My daughter had been diagnosed with it and, quite frankly, I’d never heard of it before. She was out of school for a week, which was extremely difficult for us given my work schedule. We struggled to keep her comfortable, find sitters, and learn about this disease all at the same time. I wrote the post to vent my frustration and try to help other parents by sharing my experience. Now, 2 years after writing that post, it’s one of my most searched posts. Parents want to know what it looks like, if they can get it, how it’s prevented/treated, and most of all when their child can go back to school.
Over the summer, I was lucky enough to be invited by Lysol to sit down with a representative from the Center for Disease Control and discuss healthy habits. In the course of our conversation, I brought up my post from 2 years ago and expressed that parents are confused as to exactly what Hand Foot and Mouth Disease is, how it effects their children, and how they can best cope with the discomfort that it causes. Within a day or two the representative had me in contact with Dr. Eileen Schneider, medical epidemiologist at Division of Viral Diseases at the CDC, who graciously agreed to take time out of her schedule to answer some of my most searched questions.
Below you can find my questions in bold – based on popular search terms that eventually land here, on my blog – and the answers (straight from a specialist at the CDC!) underneath.
What is hand, foot, and mouth disease?
Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common, contagious illness. It is caused by different viruses that belong to the Enterovirus genus (group). This group of viruses includes coxsackieviruses, echoviruses, and enteroviruses.
How do I know if my child has HFMD?
Typical symptoms of HFMD include fever, blister-like sores in the mouth (herpangina), and a rash on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
A doctor can tell if your child has HFMD by the symptoms you describe and by looking at your child’s mouth sores and rash. Depending on how severe your child’s symptoms are, your doctor may collect samples from your child’s throat or feces (stool) and send them to a lab for testing.
How is HFMD spread?
The viruses that cause HFMD can be found in an infected person’s:
- nose and throat secretions (such as saliva, sputum, or nasal mucus),
- blister fluid, and
- feces.
An infected person may spread the viruses that cause HFMD through:
- close personal contact (such as kissing or shaking hands)
- the air (through coughing or sneezing),
- contact with feces,
- contaminated objects and surfaces.
For example, you might get infected by kissing someone who has HFMD or by touching a doorknob that has viruses on it then touching your eyes, mouth or nose.
What is the best way(s) to prevent HFMD?
You can lower your risk of being infected by
- Washing hands often with soap and water, especially after changing diapers and using the toilet. Visit CDC’s Clean Hands Save Lives! for more information.
- Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces and soiled items, including toys.
- Avoiding close contact such as kissing, hugging, or sharing eating utensils or cups with people with hand, foot, and mouth disease.
There is no vaccine to protect against the viruses that cause HFMD.
Is HFMD more common in younger children or older? What age ranges?
Infants and children younger than 5 years old are more likely to get HFMD. However, older children can also get the disease.
Can adults get HFMD? Is it common for adults to get HFMD?
Yes, adults can sometimes HFMD, but it is not as common or as severe as for infants and young children.
However, adults who have compromised immune systems may develop symptoms, which may sometimes be severe.
Are there any difference in the symptoms of HFMD in children versus adults?
Adults with HFMD are likely to have similar symptoms as children with the disease, but these symptoms are usually less severe. However, adults who have compromised immune systems may develop symptoms, which may sometimes be severe.
What would be the first sign or symptom that someone would notice if they had (or suspected they had) HFMD?
HFMD usually starts with a fever, poor appetite, a vague feeling of being unwell, and sore throat.
Are there any medications or remedies for HFMD? What’s the treatment for HFMD?
There is no specific treatment for HFMD. However, some things can be done to relieve symptoms, such as
- Taking over-the-counter medications to relieve pain and fever. However, aspirin should not be given to children.
- Using mouthwashes or sprays that help alleviate mouth pain
You should contact your doctor if you are concerned about your symptoms or your child’s.
How long are you contagious?
You can be contagious from the time you become infected to days or weeks after your symptoms go away. However, a person is generally most contagious during the first week of illness.
Some people who get infected with the viruses that cause HFMD may not develop any symptoms or symptoms may be very mild, but they may still be contagious.
Can an adult go to work with HFMD? If not, how long should they stay out of work?
While you have symptoms of HFMD, you should stay home. Talk with your healthcare provider if you are not sure when you should return to work.
Can a child go to school/daycare with HFMD? If not, how long should they stay out of school?
While your child has symptoms of HFMD, he or she should stay home. Talk with your healthcare provider if you are not sure when your child should return to school/daycare.
If my child has already had HFMD once can they get it again?
Yes. Your child can have repeat infections with the same type of enterovirus or different enteroviruses that cause HFMD.
If I had HFMD as a child, can I get HFMD as an adult?
Yes, but adults are less likely to develop symptoms. If adults do develop symptoms, they usually will be less severe symptoms than infants and young children. However, adults who have compromised immune systems who get HFMD may sometimes have more severe illness.
So there you have it – pretty much everything that you need to know about Hand Foot and Mouth Disease, straight from an expert the CDC! For any additional questions you may have or to learn about potential complications from Hand Foot and Mouth Disease be sure to visit the CDC’s website.
A very special thank you to Dr. Eileen Schneider, medical epidemiologist, Division of Viral Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC for taking the time to answer some of my most searched questions.
My almost 5 year old grandson just got this last Thursday. He had a cough and then a fever. Took him to the doctor and it was confirmed it was the beginning of HFM. Then a couple of days later after having a high fever, the rash started to form on his hands, arms, and feet. He was miserable and felt awful. Today is the first day he’s just about back to normal.
My little 9 year old girl was diagnosed yesterday with HFMD but has had no sores- and other than acting a little tired seems to be ok- I’m really big on not contaminating others with it- Do you happen to know when she could return to school. She has already missed 2 days this week- earlier this week I just thought she had a sore throat and it would go away- Surprise…
any advice on what to do next???
I am a 22 year old female who got HFM from my 1 year old niece and it is the most painful and miserable thing I’ve ever been through. I keep reading that adults don’t have it as bad. LIE. It is SO PAINFUL. It’s only the 3rd day and I still can’t sleep due to the excruciating pain on the bottoms of my feet. Nothing helps either. I’ve missed two days of work and I can’t miss anymore. Torn if I should quit my job or suffer and go (even though I’m contagious).
I actually have this disease right now. Apparently, I got it from my very sickly 3 year old boy. We’ve been miserable but after about a week, it starting to go away. I don’t wish this itchy punishment on anyone.
I’m 32 and have hand mouth and foot disease. I contracted it from my daughter who started of with a mild temperature and the eczema at the back of her knie flared up. We took her to the doctor who said it was mild dermatitis. The next day she had a few small red dots around her mouth and on her fingers. Since we live in a tropical country I thought it was a heat rash. Took her to the doctor again. He prescribed an antihistamine and said it was nothing contagious and she would be fine. Since she was fealing ok, no temperature, no spreading of the rash, good appetite, we went on holiday for three days. By the end of it I developed a sore throat and headache. I thought it was heatstroke from being on the beach. I didn’t develope a temperature but my hands were on fire. It’s the worst sickness I’ve had so far, and I’m glad my daughter didn’t suffer like this. After a sleepless night I went to the doctor the next day who diagnosed me with hand foot and mouth. After showing him the scabs on my daughters hands and feet he said she had the same sickness. This is day six and all the spots on my back, legs and inner thighs have dried up. I only developed one on my face and ear but my hands look horrible. The patches are darkening and fading but I’m still scared to go out. My feet still feel a bit sore. My fingers are numb. I feel like I’m wearing gloves. Hope things will get back to normal soon. I’m just grateful we didn’t get any sores in the mouth.
My son is going through HFM right now. He started showing the rashes today and a few days ago had a fever all night. He has had the mouth blister for a few days now and just now got a diagnosis today.
My baby is going through it. He is so irritated and uncomfortable. I feel so bad because it’s absolutely nothing I can do for him except to give him Motrin and some mouth wash nicknamed “magic mouth wash” to keep him comfortable. The mouth was really helps before he tries to eat. It helps to decrease the pain if I don’t use it he zaps out if something comes on in contact with his mouth. He is in so much pain and all he want to do is lay on me or be up under me. As I am afraid of catching the virus also I have to do what I have to do to keep my baby as comfortable as possible. Hopefully I can get some rest soon. This has been going on since Friday, it is now Sunday and I feel like a walking zombie. Pray for us people! And best wishes to any family who is going through this also!!!!! Xo
If you are interested in topic: make money with
snapchat – you should read about Bucksflooder first
I am 28 years old without a compromised immune system and I have an unbearable case of HFMD. Like a previous poster said, I don’t know why they continue to say adults don’t get it as bad as kids. My son had it BAD and I have it WAY worse. I have talked to two friends who had similar experiences. I wish people would stop saying adults don’t usually get it as I believe it causes people to have their guard down.
I am a 29 year old US ARMY soldier. I am very fit and healthy and am now on day 5 of HFMD after catching it from either my wife, or two kids. My 11 month old son had it pretty bad then my wife and 2 1/2 year old daughter had mild symptoms. My face, palms of my hands and soles of my feet are covered in sores. Some out of the skin. Most under the skin. It feels like my feet fell asleep and I have that pin needle sensation but a very intense painful version. I also have traces of the rash all around my body. Especially where my skin is thinner. (crease of elbows, knees, etc) my face looks horrible. This is the worst sore throat I have ever felt. I usually don’t take medication if I can help it but this was necessary to function because the symptoms are unforgiving. I am 200lbs and I take 800mg Ibuprofen every 8 hours, 500mg acetaminophen every 4-6 hours as well as zinc supplements and cough drops. Keeps the pain manageable to still help with the kids a little. Try eating brothy soup. It doesn’t hurt too bad.
It progressed in phases for me.
Day 1-irritable then fever that night
Day 2-very irritable, fever, feeling very off and drained. Hands and feet and throat started to hurt a little. Spots on face.
Day 3- no more fever but bad sore throat, harder to walk, hard to grasp with hands, face started to itch. Starting to see spots.
Day 4- pure misery, everything hurts, when I started to medicate. Spots everywhere.
Day 5- pain finally stopped increasing and maintained intensity. Sore throat changed places, now more in my mouth. Hard but manageable with medication. so far it is decreasing slowly. The pain wakes me at night to re medicate.
Advice: as soon as you figure out your kid has this, take immune system boosting nutrients, lysol everything and comfort your child because the worse it looks the worse it feels. Trust me this is pretty bad.
Thanks so much for sharing your experience and immune system boosters are a great idea! I wish I had thought of that. I hope you are feeling better!