Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) is a common viral infection that mainly affects children under the age of five.
Why is this important to know? Knowing the symptoms, treatment, and prevention is important for parents and caregivers. Be informed so you can protect your little ones from HFMD and manage it if it happens.
Close-up of a child’s hands with HFM Disease
HFMD is highly contagious and common among young children. HFMD can be easily spread through direct contact with bodily fluids such as saliva, nasal discharge, feces, and blister fluid. Knowing the signs early and how to care for an affected child can make a big difference in their recovery.
What You Need to Know About Hand Foot Mouth Disease
HFMD is caused by viruses from the Enterovirus group; coxsackievirus A16 is the most common. Even after recovering from HFMD, it is possible to get infected again if exposed to a different strain of the virus.
Closeup of a Coxsacklevirus
We list some common symptoms below that you should be able to observe and prevention measures. Consult a family doctor for any symptoms of HFMD that you’re unsure of and to get proper guidance on how to manage the illness and ensure safe recovery.
Diagram illustrating the structure of the Coxsackie virus
Symptoms of HFMD
Most children with HFMD experience mild symptoms, but it is important to monitor for any worsening signs.
Children with HFMD may have:
- Fever: Usually the first sign and can be mild to moderate.
- Sore Throat: Swallowing is painful and uncomfortable.
- Mouth Sores: Painful sores or mouth ulcers inside the mouth, tongue, gums and inner cheeks. Monitor these ulcers to manage discomfort.
- Rash: Non-itchy rash on palms of hands, soles of feet and sometimes on the buttocks.
Hand Foot Mouth Disease Symptoms diagram
Early Diagnosis and Management is Important
Recognize the symptoms early. There is no specific treatment for HFMD but supportive care like pain relievers and hydration can help alleviate symptoms. Early diagnosis helps in managing discomfort and preventing complications.
Most children recover from HFMD on their own in about a week, highlighting the self-limiting nature of the illness.
Prevention
Reducing the transmission of HFMD requires good hygiene practices:
- Frequent Handwashing: Wash hands with soap for 20 seconds.
- Avoid Close Contact: Keep children away from infected individuals.
- Disinfect Surfaces: Regularly clean toys, doorknobs and other frequently touched objects.
- Teach Proper Hygiene: Tell kids not to touch their faces or mouths unnecessarily.
- Avoid Sharing Eating Utensils: Keep the infected child’s eating utensils separate from others to minimize transmission.
Knowing these tips will empower parents and caregivers to protect their little ones from HFMD.
Preventing Hand Foot Mouth Disease Infections Diagram
Causes and Risk Factors of Mouth Disease
Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), sometimes referred to as mouth disease or foot and mouth disease, is a viral infection most often caused by coxsackievirus and other enteroviruses. This illness targets the hand, foot, and mouth areas, making it easy to recognize but also highly contagious. The virus spreads quickly through direct contact with an infected person’s saliva, nasal discharge, feces, or the fluid from blisters and rashes.
Children younger than five years old are especially at risk for mouth disease HFMD, as their immune systems are still developing and may not fight off the infection as effectively as older children or adults. Other risk factors include being in close contact with an infected person, such as in childcare centres or crowded households, and practicing poor hygiene. Sharing eating utensils, not washing hands after handling food, or not keeping clothes separate can all increase the risk of spreading the disease.
To reduce the risk of infection, it’s important to practice good hygiene at home and in group settings. Encourage frequent handwashing, especially after using the toilet, before meals, and after changing diapers. Keep eating utensils, towels, and clothing separate for each child, and disinfect surfaces regularly. These simple steps can help protect your family from this highly contagious mouth disease.
Symptoms
Recognize hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) early to manage discomfort and prevent spread. Here are the symptoms to watch out for:
HFMD is spread through direct contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids such as saliva, nasal discharge and faeces.
First Signs
- Fever: One of the first signs can be mild or high.
- Sore Throat: Your child may complain of a sore or scratchy throat.
- Lethargy: Feeling unusually tired or cranky.
Also, monitor other children for HFMD symptoms to prevent further spread.
Mouth Sores
As HFMD progresses, mouth sores will develop:
- Painful Ulcers: Small red spots that blister and then become ulcers. These will appear on the gums, inner cheeks and tongue.
- Difficulty Eating and Drinking: The pain from these sores will make swallowing hard so your child may avoid food or drinks.
Make sure to clean thoroughly toys or items contaminated with nasal or oral secretions to prevent the spread of the illness.
Close-up of a child’s mouth with HFM Disease, image credit: Wikipedia
Rash Patterns
Knowing where rashes appear will help confirm HFMD:
- Hands and Feet: Red spots that may blister on the palms of hands and soles of feet.
- Buttocks: Sometimes a rash will appear on the buttocks.
- Non-Itchy Rash: Unlike other rashes, HFMD rashes are not itchy but uncomfortable.
Note: HFMD is different from hoof and mouth disease, which affects farm animals and is not transmissible to humans.
Recognize the symptoms early to manage and comfort.
Progression of Hand Foot Mouth Disease is shown on hands, feet, and mouth over time: Day 0, Day 2, and one month. Image credit: mdpi.com
Stages of the Disease
Hand, foot, and mouth disease typically progresses in two main stages, each with its own set of symptoms. In the first stage, children may develop flu-like symptoms such as a mild fever, runny nose, and sore throat. These early signs can last for a few days and may be accompanied by your child feeling tired or irritable.
As the disease moves into the second stage, more specific symptoms appear. Painful mouth sores and mouth ulcers develop inside the child’s mouth, making it uncomfortable to eat or drink. Around the same time, a rash appears on the hands, feet, and sometimes the buttocks. These spots may be flat or raised, and can blister or crust over as the illness progresses.
Most children recover from mouth disease within 7 to 10 days, but children younger than two may take a bit longer to fully recover. During this period, it’s important to ensure adequate rest, relieve fever and mouth pain, and prevent dehydration. Offer soft foods like pureed fruit, yogurt, or barley water, and encourage your child to drink enough liquids. Ice pops can also help soothe mouth pain and keep your child hydrated. By supporting your child through these stages, you can help them feel more comfortable as their immune system fights off the infection.
Managing Discomfort
When dealing with HFMD, focus on relieving symptoms not on antiviral meds. The main goal is to ease the child’s discomfort from symptoms like mouth ulcers and fever; ensuring proper hydration and rest can help improve their well-being. Here are some ways to manage discomfort:
HFMD is generally mild but can sometimes lead to serious complications like encephalitis and dehydration that require hospitalization.
Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers
To alleviate mouth sores, fever, and sore throat discomfort, use over-the-counter pain relievers:
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol): Reduces fever and soothes sore muscles.
- Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin): Reduces inflammation and relieves pain.
Follow the dosing instructions of your doctor or the medication packaging to use safely.
More Comfort Tips
Soft, cold foods like yogurt or ice cream can soothe a sore throat and mouth sores.
Avoid spicy or citrus foods as they can irritate the mouth sores and worsen discomfort.
Over-the-counter oral gels can give temporary relief from mouth-sore pain.
Relief from these symptoms can make a big difference in your child’s comfort level during HFMD. It’s all about making them feel better while their body fights the virus. Keep the infected child’s belongings separate from other family members to prevent spread within the household.
Hydration
Staying hydrated is important during an HFMD episode. Dehydration is a risk because of painful mouth sores that make it hard for children to swallow.
Encourage Hydration
Here are some tips to keep your child hydrated:
- Cold Liquids: Cold drinks can soothe sore throats. Try ice water, chilled milk or diluted fruit juices.
- Popsicles: These are not only fluids but also a treat.
- Frequent Sips: Encourage your child to take small sips, often not in one big gulp.
- Soft Foods with High Water Content: Foods like yoghurt, applesauce and gelatin are easier to eat and can help with hydration.
Hydration is part of the treatment for HFMD and helps with recovery and comfort.
Creative Strategies for Child Hydration diagram
Complications and Risks of Hand Foot
While most cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease are mild and resolve on their own, complications can occasionally occur, especially if the infection is caused by a more severe strain of the virus. One rare but serious complication is viral meningitis, which affects the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. This can lead to severe headache, neck stiffness, and other neurological symptoms.
Other possible complications include painful mouth sores that make it difficult for your child to eat or drink, increasing the risk of dehydration if they are not able to take in enough fluids. In some cases, children may experience nail loss on their fingers or toes a few weeks after the infection, though this is usually temporary and not painful.
Complications affecting the brain, lungs, or heart are extremely rare but can be serious, particularly in children with weakened immune systems. If your child develops any of the following symptoms—severe headache, stiff neck, difficulty breathing, chest pain, or is unable to drink enough fluids—seek medical attention right away. Prompt care can help manage these risks and ensure your child recovers safely from mouth disease.
Prevention is Better Than Cure
Good hygiene practices can make a big difference in preventing HFMD. Simple daily habits can reduce the risk of HFMD transmission among young children.
Take your child to the doctor if symptoms don’t improve after a few days or worsen. Especially if your child has difficulty swallowing or signs of dehydration like decreased urine output or excessive thirst.
HFMD Prevention Hygiene:
- Frequent Handwashing: Encourage kids to wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after using the bathroom, before eating and after sneezing or coughing.
- Disinfect Surfaces: Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that are frequently touched, like toys, doorknobs and tables.
- Avoid Close Contact: Keep your child away from anyone with HFMD. This means no sharing of utensils, cups or towels.
- Teach Cough Etiquette: Show children how to cover their mouths with a tissue or their elbow when they cough or sneeze.
These can help reduce HFMD spread in homes and childcare centres.
HFMD can infect adults
Although it’s most common in children, even adults can get hand foot mouth disease. Symptoms and treatment for adults are the same as for children. Adults (except the child’s parents) should avoid close contact with infected individuals and don’t share personal items.
If you or your child has HFMD, consult a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
In general, HFMD can be uncomfortable and inconvenient, but with proper care and management of symptoms, most cases will resolve within a week or two.
Role of Childcare Centers in Preventing HFMD Outbreaks
Childcare centres, kindergartens and schools have a big role in preventing HFMD spread. Here are some guidelines to minimize outbreaks:
- Frequent Handwashing: Encourage children and staff to wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after using the bathroom and before eating.
- Disinfect Surfaces: Clean and disinfect toys, doorknobs and other frequently touched surfaces.
- Isolation Protocols: Separate any child showing HFMD symptoms from others to prevent virus spread.
- Educational Programs: Teach children good hygiene practices like not touching their face or mouth and covering their coughs and sneezes.
- Communication with Parents: Inform parents about HFMD symptoms and prevention tips; tell them to keep sick children at home.
These will help reduce HFMD transmission in childcare centres.
HFMD can be minimised
Be aware and follow these prevention tips to create a safe environment for our children and stop HFMD in our community.
Practice Good Hygiene
Regular handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of HFMD. Encourage children and adults alike to wash their hands thoroughly, especially after using the toilet, before eating, and after coughing or sneezing.
Disinfect Common Surfaces
Viruses that cause HFMD can survive on surfaces for several hours. Frequently clean and disinfect toys, doorknobs, tables, and other commonly touched objects to reduce the risk of transmission.
Avoid Close Contact with Infected Individuals
Keep children who show symptoms of HFMD at home until they are fully recovered and all the blisters have dried up. Avoid sharing eating utensils, towels, and clothes between infected children and others to prevent spreading the virus.
Educate Children on Proper Etiquette
Teach children to cover their mouths and noses with a tissue or their elbow when coughing or sneezing, and to avoid touching their face, mouth, or eyes unnecessarily.
Monitor and Communicate
Parents and caregivers should monitor children for early symptoms of HFMD and consult healthcare providers if symptoms appear. Childcare centres and schools should inform parents promptly about any HFMD cases and encourage adherence to preventive measures.
By implementing these simple yet effective measures, we can collectively reduce the incidence of HFMD and protect the health of both children and adults in our community.
