Important Information on Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

As of October 23, over 40 schools in our school district have reported cases of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD). It is a viral illness that usually affects young children; however, anyone can get HFMD. 

Symptoms include:

• Fever
• Poor appetite
• Sore throat
• Other cold-like symptoms

The above symptoms may occur 1-2 days before the onset of painful sores in the mouth and a red rash, which may develop into blisters or ulcers on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. (It may also appear on the buttocks or genitalia.) The rash may last for 7 to 10 days.  

The virus that causes HFMD is spread through feces, saliva, respiratory secretions, and fluid from blisters of infected people. Infected people may shed the virus before the time sores and rash appear and continue to do so for several weeks after the appearance of symptoms. There is no special treatment for HFMD.

Help prevent and control the spread of HFMD by:

• Washing hands well, especially after going to the bathroom, changing diapers, and/or handling diapers or other stool-soiled material.
• Covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
• Washing toys and other surfaces that have saliva on them.
• Excluding children from child care or school settings if:  
• The child has a fever, or
• The child has uncontrollable “hand to mouth” behavior, is not able to contain their secretions, such as ulcers in the mouth, and the child is drooling, or 
• The child has draining sores that cannot be covered. 

Please contact your healthcare provider if you suspect your child has HFMD, or if you have any questions or concerns.

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (Coxsackievirus):
Frequently Asked Questions

What causes hand, foot, and mouth disease?

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease is caused by one of several types of viruses. It is usually characterized by tiny blisters on the inside of the mouth and the palms of the hands, fingers, soles of the feet. It is commonly caused by coxsackievirus A16 (an enterovirus), and less often by other types of viruses.

Who can get hand, foot, and mouth disease?

Young children are primarily affected, but it may be seen in adults. Most cases occur in the summer and early fall. Outbreaks may occur among groups of children especially in child care centers or nursery schools. Symptoms usually appear 3 to 5 days after exposure.

How is it spread?

HFMD is usually spread through person-to-person contact. People can spread the disease when they are shedding the virus in their feces. It is also spread by the

respiratory tract from mouth or respiratory secretions (such as from saliva on hands or toys). The virus has also been found in the fluid from the skin blisters. The infection is spread most easily during the acute phase/stage of illness when people are feeling ill, but the virus can be spread for several weeks after the onset of infection.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms are much like a common cold with a rash. The rash appears as blisters or ulcers in the mouth, on the inner cheeks, gums, sides of the tongue, and as bumps or blisters on the hands, feet, and sometimes other parts of the skin. The skin rash may last for 7 to 10 days.

How is it treated?

There is no specific treatment for the virus that causes HFMD.

How do I help prevent and control the spread?

• Washing hands well, especially after going to the bathroom, changing diapers and/or handling diapers or other stool-soiled material.
• Covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
• Washing toys and other surfaces that have saliva on them.
• Excluding children from child care or school settings if the child has a fever, uncontrollable “hand to mouth” behavior, not able to contain their secretions, such as ulcers in the mouth and the child is drooling, or draining sores that cannot be covered.

Resources

Prince George's County Health Department