09/25/2025
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPAN7iTDE3u/?igsh=MjV1dnh1c2pjbnZp
Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) is a contagious viral illness that often affects young children.
Early Symptoms
• Fever
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
What Comes Next
Painful blisters may develop in one or more of these areas:
• Mouth
• Fingers
• Palms of hands
• Soles of feet
• Buttocks/diaper area.
Symptoms typically last 7–10 days.
Diagnosis
Most cases can be quickly diagnosed by your child’s pediatric provider with a simple exam.
Treatment
There is no specific cure—treatment focuses on comfort:
• Relieve fever and pain with approved medications.
• Keep your child well-hydrated (very important since mouth sores can make drinking painful).
• Watch closely for signs of dehydration in more severe cases.
🦠 How It Spreads
• Through droplets when a child talks, coughs, or sneezes.
• Contact with contaminated toys or surfaces.
• Fecal-oral route (contact with stool of infected children).
🚫 When to Keep Kids Home
Children should not return to school or daycare if:
• They have many open blisters.
• They have had a fever in the past 24 hours (without fever reducers).
• They have excessive drooling from painful mouth sores.
• They meet any other exclusion criteria from the school/daycare.
✅ Prevention Tips
• Frequent handwashing.
• Regular sanitizing of toys and surfaces.
• Avoid sharing food, drinks, or personal items.
• Teach children to cover coughs and sneezes.
