It's Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Season — Here's What Parents Should Know
No one likes a sick kiddo. And while colds are obviously bad enough, navigating a bad case of hand, foot, and mouth disease is 10 times worse. So what exactly is this illness? It's a mild — but contagious — viral infection that's common in little kids and characterized by sores in the mouth, a rash on the hands and feet, and a fever.
And unfortunately for parents with little ones running around, kids who spend their days at school or day care are the prime demographic when it comes to coming down with the nasty bug. Think your child might be coming down with a case of HFM disease? Scroll through to get the facts as well as the lowdown on how to treat it.
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Who typically gets hand, foot, and mouth disease?
The coxsackievirus A16 or the enterovirus 71 are usually the culprits when it comes to getting this bug. It primarily affects kids younger than 10 who are enrolled in daycare or school. Little ones under the age of 5 are especially susceptible.
Parents in the US should keep in mind that the virus is more common during the Summer and Fall months, but in places with tropical climates, it can be a year-round threat.
What are the symptoms of hand, foot, and mouth disease?
Keep an eye out for the following symptoms:
- A fever
- A sore throat
- Painful, red, blisters on the tongue, gums, and on the inside of the cheeks
- A red rash, especially on the palms and the soles of the feet
- Loss of appetite
Is hand, foot, and mouth disease contagious?
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is very contagious, particularly within the first seven days of contracting the virus. According to the CDC, adults can become infected and not actually develop any symptoms. Despite not showing any signs of the disease, they can still spread it.
Unfortunately, HFM can be transmitted from person-to-person fairly easily via:
- Close personal contact, like hugging
- When an infected person coughs or sneezes
- Contact with feces while changing diapers
- Touching contaminated objects and surfaces
What do you do if your child's friend or classmate gets hand, foot, and mouth disease?
In general, it's best to keep your kids far, far away from anyone who has or has recently had HFM disease. The best way to prevent your children from getting it? By having them wash their hands often.
And because of how contagious it can be, moms and dads should refrain from putting their kids back in school until the symptoms are completely gone — it usually clears up on its own between seven to 10 days, according to the Mayo Clinic.
How do you treat hand, foot, and mouth disease?
There's no surefire way to treat HFM disease, but caregivers can treat their child's fever and discomfort with acetaminophen or ibuprofen. As for the blisters? Ask your doctor for the best pain-relieving remedies.
According to WebMD, the virus can stay in a child's body for days or weeks after the symptoms go away, so be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after changing a dirty diaper or wiping a runny nose.
Parents should do everything they can to keep their sick kids home and should inform their child's school or daycare about the condition. If you absolutely have to bring your sick child out in public for any reason, make sure you wipe down every surface he or she touches with disinfectant to prevent the virus from spreading.
Be sure to call your pediatrician if your kid's fever lasts more than three days or if he or she is not drinking fluids.