Frequently Asked Questions

HFMD typically affects children under the age of five. Adults may sometimes become infected with the virus. HFMD is most common in children in childcare settings because of frequent diaper changes and potty training, and because little children often put their hands in their mouths. HFMD is not transmitted to or from pets or other animals.

Initial symptoms of HFMD include fever, poor appetite, a general feeling of being unwell, and sore throat. One or two days after fever starts, painful sores often develop in the mouth. They begin as small red spots that blister, often becoming ulcers. Next, a non-itchy rash with flat or raised red spots, sometimes with blisters, will develop over one to two days. The rash typically appears on the palms of hands and bottoms of feet and can also appear on the knees, buttocks, elbows or genital area. Persons infected with the viruses that cause HFMD may not get all the symptoms. They may only get mouth sores or skin rash.

HFMD is moderately contagious and is spread from person to person by direct contact with nose and throat secretions (such as saliva, sputum or nasal mucus), fluid from blisters, and stool (feces) of the infected person. The virus may be spread when infected persons touch objects and surfaces that are then touched by others.

People infected with the virus are most contagious during the first week of their illness. The virus that causes HFMD can remain in the body for weeks after a person’s symptoms have gone away. This means infected people can still pass the virus to others even though they appear well. Also, some infected people, including most adults, may have no symptoms but still shed the virus.

There is no specific treatment for HFMD. Over-the-counter medications can be useful for fever and mouth pain.

• If you are concerned about your symptoms you should contact your health care provider.

Good hand washing is important to reduce the spread of HFMD. Children and adults should use proper hand hygiene, especially after using the toilet and changing diapers.

Excluding children from school and child care during the first few days of the infection will reduce the spread of the virus. In home and child care settings, thorough cleaning and disinfection of contaminated surfaces and items with a diluted bleach solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water) is an effective way to reduce the spread of viruses.