Hfm disease how long contagious

We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Caused by a strain of the coxsackievirus, hand, foot and mouth disease is best known for the blister-like rash it causes on the hands, feet and mouth.

However, this rash can appear all over the body. The first symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease that show up include fever, lack of appetite, sore throat and a runny nose. A day or two later, a blister-like rash appears on the hands, feet or mouth. Hand, foot and mouth disease spreads through direct contact with these blisters, as well as the droplets expelled when you sneeze or cough.

You are most contagious during the first few days of being sick, often before the blisters appear. Fever Headache Sore throat Runny nose A day or two after the fever, you might see: Small painful sores ulcers on the throat and tonsils A rash of very small blisters or red spots on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and diaper area. These usually are not itchy. Tenderness or pain when touching the palms of the hands and soles of the feet Poor appetite due to painful swallowing After the rash has healed, the skin may peel; but this is harmless.

Do NOT give ibuprofen to children younger than 6 months. Read the label to know the right dose for the age of your child. Do NOT give aspirin or products that contain aspirin. If your child is over one year old, give lots of liquids, such as water, milk, apple juice, and popsicles.

Avoid fruit juices that are high in acid, like cranberry juice, orange juice or lemonade. They may irritate the mouth sores Picture 1. If your child is under one year old , continue to give either breastmilk, formula, or both. Offer soft foods that are easy to swallow, like applesauce, mashed potatoes, oatmeal, or eggs.

And contact your doctor if after a few days, your child's signs and symptoms worsen. The most common cause of hand-foot-and-mouth disease is infection with the coxsackievirus A The coxsackievirus belongs to a group of viruses called nonpolio enteroviruses. Other types of enteroviruses sometimes cause hand-foot-and-mouth disease. Oral ingestion is the main source of coxsackievirus infection and hand-foot-and-mouth disease. The illness spreads by person-to-person contact with an infected person's:.

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is most common in children in child care settings because of frequent diaper changes and toilet training, and because little children often put their hands in their mouths. Although your child is most contagious with hand-foot-and-mouth disease during the first week of the illness, the virus can remain in his or her body for weeks after the signs and symptoms are gone.

That means your child still can infect others. Some people, especially adults, can pass the virus without showing any signs or symptoms of the disease.

Outbreaks of the disease are more common in summer and autumn in the United States and other temperate climates. In tropical climates, outbreaks occur year-round. Hand-foot-and-mouth disease isn't related to foot-and-mouth disease sometimes called hoof-and-mouth disease , which is an infectious viral disease found in farm animals. You can't contract hand-foot-and-mouth disease from pets or other animals, and you can't transmit it to them. Hand-foot-and-mouth disease primarily affects children younger than age 10, often those under 5 years.

Children in child care centers are especially susceptible to outbreaks of hand-foot-and-mouth disease because the infection spreads by person-to-person contact, and young children are the most susceptible. Children usually develop immunity to hand-foot-and-mouth disease as they get older by building antibodies after exposure to the virus that causes the disease. However, it's possible for adolescents and adults to get the disease. Close alert. Informational Alert.

Is this your child's symptom? Tiny red spots and water blisters on the hands and feet caused by a virus Rash is seen on the palms, fingers, soles and toes The diagnosis cannot be made without these Also can cause small mouth ulcers sores Symptoms of Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease HFMD Small red spots and tiny water blisters on the hands and feet.

Seen on the palms, fingers, soles and toes. The diagnosis cannot be made without these. Small painful ulcers sores in the mouth. Look for them on the tongue and sides of mouth. Most children with HFMD have these, but they can be hard to see.