10/04/2025
Illness of the day- Hand Foot Mouth Disease
HFMD is a common, contagious viral illness that typically affects infants and children under 5, though older children and adults can get it too. It’s usually mild, but uncomfortable, and most children recover in 7–10 days without medical treatment.
🔬 Caused By:
• Coxsackievirus A16 (most common)
• Enterovirus 71 (can cause more severe cases)
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🧒 Who Gets It?
• Most common in children under age 5
• Especially common in daycares, preschools, or any group childcare settings
• Can occur year-round, but peaks in summer and fall
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🤒 Symptoms of HFMD
Symptoms typically appear 3–6 days after infection (incubation period). This is called the prodrome phase, followed by more visible signs.
Early Symptoms:
• Fever
• Sore throat
• Reduced appetite
• Feeling unwell (malaise)
1–2 Days Later:
• Painful sores inside the mouth (tongue, gums, inside of cheeks)
• Skin rash with red spots or blisters — usually on:
• Palms of hands
• Soles of feet
• May also appear on knees, elbows, buttocks, or ge***al area
Note: Not all children get all symptoms — some may only have a rash or mouth sores.
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🧫 How HFMD Spreads
Highly contagious! Spread through:
• Saliva (coughing, kissing)
• Mucus (runny noses)
• Fluid from blisters
• Stool (diaper changes, poor hand hygiene)
• Surfaces and objects (toys, doorknobs)
Children are most contagious during the first week, but the virus can remain in stool for several weeks after symptoms resolve.
💊 Treatment
No specific cure — treatment focuses on relieving symptoms. Symptoms can last 7-10 days.
At-home care:
• Pain relief: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) — never aspirin for children
• Mouth sore relief: Cold fluids, ice pops, yogurt, avoiding citrus or spicy food
• Hydration: Prevent dehydration — mouth sores may make it hard to swallow
🚫 When to Keep Kids Home
Children should stay home if they:
• Have a fever
• Have open blisters
• Are drooling excessively due to mouth pain
• Are too sick to participate in normal activities
Can return to school or daycare once fever is gone, and they feel well enough, even if they still have a rash (as long as no open sores or active drooling).
