hand, foot & mouth disease
also known as: HFMD, coxsackievirus, enterovirus
hand, foot and mouth disease is a common viral illness in children under 5. it causes small blisters on the hands, feet, and inside the mouth. it is extremely common in daycare and childcare settings. it is usually mild and clears up on its own within 7-10 days.
contagious
yes, highly contagious — most contagious during the first week
duration
7-10 days typically
common age
under 5 years — very common in childcare/daycare
symptoms
- •small blisters inside the mouth, on the tongue, and gums
- •blisters or red spots on palms of hands and soles of feet
- •sometimes blisters on buttocks, legs, and arms
- •sore throat and mouth making eating painful
- •mild fever
- •general feeling of being unwell
- •reduced appetite due to mouth sores
when to see a doctor
see your GP or call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) if:
- •your child is not drinking enough fluids
- •fever lasts more than 3 days
- •symptoms have not improved after 10 days
- •your child is very young (under 6 months)
- •your child has a weakened immune system
- •blisters look infected (red, swollen, oozing pus)
- •your child is very drowsy or hard to wake
when to call 000
call 000 immediately if:
- •your child is unresponsive or extremely drowsy
- •your child has difficulty breathing
- •your child has a stiff neck with fever and vomiting
home treatment
- •give paracetamol for pain and fever (not ibuprofen if mouth sores are severe)
- •offer cold foods like ice blocks and yoghurt to soothe mouth
- •avoid acidic or salty foods that sting
- •encourage small, frequent sips of water
- •wash hands frequently to prevent spread
- •avoid popping blisters — they heal on their own
prevention
- •frequent handwashing, especially after nappy changes and before eating
- •teach children to cough and sneeze into their elbow
- •clean and disinfect surfaces and shared toys regularly
- •keep your child home from childcare until blisters have dried
- •there is no vaccine for HFMD
this guide is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. if you are concerned about your child, see your GP, call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84), or in an emergency call 000. mini mode is not affiliated with any government department or health service.