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The Facts on Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease
Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a viral infection that usually affects babies and
children. HFMD can lead to mild fever, a blistering rash on the hands and feet, mouth sores,
sore throat, and a poor appetite.
HFMD is contagious and often causes illness within 3 to 7 days after exposure to an infected
person.
Causes of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is caused by a group of viruses known as enteroviruses.
The enterovirus called coxsackie virus A16 is the most common cause of HFMD. However,
in some cases, other enteroviruses can also cause HFMD.
Symptoms and Complications of Hand, Foot, and Mouth
Disease
HFMD is infectious. It can spread from one person to another through direct contact with
discharge from the nose and throat, saliva, infected stools, or fluid from a blister. It takes up
to a week for symptoms to appear once a person is infected, though not all infected people
develop symptoms.
A rash of tiny, painful red spots will appear within a couple of days and will soon begin to
blister and sometimes form ulcers. These spots may appear:
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inside the mouth (on the tongue, gums, or cheeks)
on the palms of the hands or on the fingers
on the soles of the feet or on the toes
on the buttocks
The rash is not generally itchy and, in some cases, may develop on other parts of the body.
Lymph nodes in the neck may also become swollen. The virus can cause the throat to feel
sore and painful.
Children and adolescents are the most commonly affected people. Adults are rarely
infected, although pregnant women who have not been exposed to the virus before have a
higher chance of becoming infected. Daycare centres, parks, nursery schools, and other
places where children play with each other are potential sites for the infection to be
transmitted from one child to another. HFMD is most common in the summer and early fall.