Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease in Children — Symptoms, Spread and Prevention

Dr. Sandip Gupta

The doctor has seen many cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) over the last two months, prompting this video on what it is, how it's treated, and how to prevent it. What it is: HFMD is a viral disease caused by a family of viruses called enteroviruses. Classic features: Ulcers inside the mouth, along with a rash on the hands and feet that appears as red blisters spread over parts of the body — but the hallmark feature is blisters specifically on the hands and feet. Course of illness: Both the mouth ulcers and the hand/foot/body blisters generally improve on their own within 7 to 10 days. A low-grade fever accompanies it, usually settling in 1 to 4 days. It is mostly a self-resolving illness, and serious complications are uncommon, occurring only in a very small number of cases. The main problem for children: The mouth ulcers are painful, which makes children reluctant to eat. How it spreads: The virus spreads through saliva — sharing the same utensils, drinking from the same water bottle, or being in close contact with an infected person. It spreads from child to child and also from adults to children. It generally occurs in children under 5, but can also occur in the 5–15 year age group. Adults infected with the virus often don't develop symptoms themselves but can still carry and spread the infection to children. Prevention: Avoid close contact with anyone who has HFMD, don't share utensils or bottles, wash hands frequently if you are around an infected person, and be mindful that the virus can also spread via contaminated surfaces. Treatment mentioned: Paracetamol is used both for the fever and for pain relief from the mouth ulcers. Hydration is very important — because painful mouth ulcers reduce a child's water intake, there is a real risk of dehydration, so fluid intake needs close attention. Relevant for: parents whose child has mouth ulcers along with a rash or blisters on the hands and feet; parents asking what hand, foot and mouth disease is and how long it lasts; parents asking how HFMD spreads between children and from adults to children; parents wanting to know how to prevent HFMD at home, school or daycare; parents whose child is refusing to eat because of painful mouth ulcers; and parents concerned about dehydration during HFMD. Disclaimer: This video is for general information and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Every child is different — please consult your pediatrician for the correct medicine and dose for fever and mouth ulcer pain, and seek medical attention if your child shows signs of dehydration, cannot drink fluids, has a high or persistent fever, or seems unusually unwell.