What is hand-foot-and-mouth disease?

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is an illness that causes sores or blisters in or on the mouth and on the hands, feet, and sometimes the buttocks and legs. They may be painful. The illness usually doesn't last more than a week or so.

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is common in children but can also occur in adults. It can occur at any time of year but is most common in the summer and fall.

It is not the same as foot-and-mouth disease (sometimes called hoof-and-mouth disease) or mad cow disease. These diseases almost always occur in animals.

At first your child may feel tired, get a sore throat, or have a fever. Then in a day or two, sores or blisters may appear in or on the mouth and on the hands, feet, and sometimes the buttocks. In some cases a skin rash may appear before the blisters do. The blisters may break open and crust over.

The sores and blisters usually go away in a week or so.

In some cases there are no symptoms, or they are very mild. Parents may get the disease from their children and not even realize it.

A doctor can tell if your child has hand-foot-and-mouth disease by the symptoms you describe and by looking at the sores and blisters. Tests usually aren't needed.

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease usually doesn't need treatment. You can use home care to help relieve your child's symptoms.

• Offer your child plenty of cool fluids to help with sore throat. Cold foods such as flavored ice pops and ice cream also may help.
• Don't give your child acidic or spicy foods and drinks, such as salsa or orange juice. These foods can make mouth sores more painful.

For pain and fever, ask your doctor if you can give your child acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen (such as Advil). Do not give your child aspirin. It has been linked to Reye syndrome, a serious illness. Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.

Children are most likely to spread the disease during the first week of the illness. But the virus can stay in the stool for several months and may spread to others. To help prevent the disease from spreading:

• If your child goes to day care or school, talk to the staff about when your child can return.
• Wash your hands frequently. It is especially important to wash your hands after you touch a blister or change the diaper of an infected child.
• Teach all family members to wash their hands often. It is especially important to wash your hands after you change the diaper of an infected child.
• Don't let your child share toys or give kisses while your child is infected.

• Make sure your child gets extra rest while they're not feeling well.
• Have your child drink plenty of fluids. If your child has kidney, heart, or liver disease and has to limit fluids, talk with your doctor before you increase the amount of fluids your child drinks.
• Do not give your child acidic foods and drinks, such as spaghetti sauce or orange juice. These things may make mouth sores more painful. Cold drinks, flavored ice pops, and ice cream may soothe mouth and throat pain.
• Ask your doctor if you can give your child acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) for fever, pain, or fussiness. Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label. Do not use ibuprofen if your child is less than 6 months old unless the doctor gave you instructions to use it. Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 20. It has been linked with Reye syndrome, a serious illness.
• Do not give your child two or more pain medicines at the same time unless the doctor told you to. Many pain medicines have acetaminophen, which is Tylenol. Too much acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be harmful.
• Watch for and treat signs of dehydration, which means that the body has lost too much water. As your child becomes dehydrated, thirst increases, and the mouth may feel very dry. Your child may have sunken eyes with few or no tears when crying. Your child may also lack energy and want to be held a lot. And your child won't need to urinate as often as usual.
• Take steps to avoid spreading the virus.
  • Keep your child out of group settings, if possible. If your child goes to day care or school, talk to staff about when your child can return.
  • Wash your hands after you use the toilet or change a diaper and before you touch food. Teach your child to wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating. Use soap and water, and scrub for at least 20 seconds. Or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Teach your child to cover their mouth when they cough or sneeze.
  • Do not let your child share toys or give kisses while your child is infected.