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Hand, foot and mouth disease is, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “a common viral infection that usually occurs during summer or fall. Despite its scary name, the illness is usually mild.”
HFMD usually affects infants and children younger than 10 years old, but can sometimes occur in adults. In the past two weeks, there has been an increase in cases in the KMC.
Although there is no specific treatment or vaccine to prevent the disease, there are simple steps that families can take to reduce their risk.
Signs and symptoms include tiny blisters in the mouth that begin as small red spots that blister and often become small ulcers. A skin rash develops over one or two days with red spots and sometimes blisters on the fingers, palms of the hands, buttocks and soles of the feet.
These blisters may appear on all, few or none of these locations in infected children. Symptoms of the common cold may also appear, including fever, and sore throat. The blisters in the mouth may make it difficult for the child to eat and drink.
The virus is found in an infected person’s nose and throat secretions, blister fluid or stool. It is usually spread by coughing or sneezing, direct contact, and through exposure to the virus in stool. Covering coughs and sneezes and hand washing will help to control the spread of the disease. Respiratory transmission of the virus usually lasts less than a week, but infected children can continue to shed virus in their stool for weeks. It is also important to remember that some people, especially adults, can get the disease and show no symptoms but still spread the virus to others. The virus is not transmitted to or from pets or other animals.
HFMD is usually not serious, is typically mild and short-lived. Fever and pain can be managed by over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen. It is important to drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration.
Children are excluded from day care or school only if they are too ill to participate, have a fever or are drooling because of blisters in the mouth.
Contact your health care provider if you have questions or concerns about this disease in your family.
