How is foot and mouth disease transmitted

Learn more about symptoms of this illness, as well as tips to prevent and treat it. Learn more about vaccine availability. Advertising Policy. You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter. Related Articles. Trending Topics. What Parents Need to Know. There is no clear evidence of risk to unborn babies from hand, foot and mouth disease. However, infected mothers and siblings can pass the infection onto newborn babies who rarely can have severe disease. Outbreaks may occur in child-care settings.

How is it prevented? Good hygiene is the best protection: Wash hands with soap and water and thoroughly dry them after going to the toilet, before eating, after wiping noses, and after changing nappies or soiled clothing. Avoid sharing cups, eating utensils, items of personal hygiene for example: towels, washers and toothbrushes , and clothing especially shoes and socks. Thoroughly wash any soiled clothing and any surfaces or toys that may have been contaminated.

Teach children about cough and sneeze etiquette: Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue. Coughing into an elbow is better than coughing into your hands. Dispose of used tissues in the bin straight away. Wash your hands afterwards with soap and water and thoroughly dry them, if handwashing facilities are not available use an alcohol based sanitiser or antibacterial wipe to clean hands.

Keep sick children at home while unwell. How is it diagnosed? How is it treated? Usually no treatment is needed. Paracetamol will relieve fever and discomfort. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Hand-foot-and-mouth disease — a mild, contagious viral infection common in young children — is characterized by sores in the mouth and a rash on the hands and feet.

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease on the hand Open pop-up dialog box Close. Hand-foot-and-mouth disease on the hand Hand-foot-and-mouth disease often causes a rash of painful, red, blister-like lesions on the palms of the hands. Hand-foot-and-mouth disease on the foot Open pop-up dialog box Close. Hand-foot-and-mouth disease on the foot Hand-foot-and-mouth disease often causes a rash of painful, red, blister-like lesions on the soles of the feet.

Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Modlin JF. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of enterovirus and parechovirus infections.

Accessed March 28, Longo DL, et al. Enterovirus, parechovirus, and reovirus infections. In: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine.

New York, N. Speak to a pharmacist for advice about treatments, such as mouth ulcer gels, sprays and mouthwashes, to relieve pain. Check with your GP surgery before going. They may suggest a phone consultation. Hand, foot and mouth disease is easily passed on to other people. It's spread in coughs, sneezes, poo and the fluid in the blisters. You can start spreading it from a few days before you have any symptoms, but you're most likely to spread it to others in the first 5 days after symptoms start.