Hand, Foot, & Mouth Disease - Fact Sheet
 Hand, foot & mouth disease is a common viral illness that can occur
in children and adults.
 Initial symptoms start with a fever, poor appetite, feeling “sick” and a
sore throat.
 Painful sores usually develop in the back of the mouth 1 or 2 days
after the fever starts. These begin as small red blisters and may
develop into ulcers.
 A skin rash develops over 1 to 2 days usually on the palms of the
hands and soles of the feet. The rash may also appear on the knees,
elbows and genital area. This rash may be flat or raised red spots
which may develop into blisters.
 Not every persons infected with the virus will exhibit all of these
symptoms.
 Health complications are not common however dehydration may
develop from difficulty swallowing due to the presence of mouth
sores.
 The virus is contained in nose & throat secretions, fluid from the
blisters, and feces.
 The virus is spread through close personal contact, sneezing &
coughing, contact with contaminated feces, and/or contact with
contaminated objects and surfaces.
 Infected persons are most contagious during the first week of illness
but some may be contagious for days or weeks after symptoms
disappear.
 Infected persons should stay home while sick and experiencing
symptoms.
 There is no vaccine to protect against hand, food & mouth disease.
 Good hand washing, cleaning & disinfecting frequently touched
surfaces, & avoiding close contact with persons infected with the
virus are effective in preventing the spread of this virus.
 There is no treatment for this disease but symptoms can be managed
with over-the-counter medications to relieve pain and fever and/or
using mouthwashes/sprays to numb mouth pain.