Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases
Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a viral infection that causes a blister-like rash involving the hands, feet, and mouth. The infection occurs most commonly in children less than 10 years of age and most often in the summer and fall months. Outbreaks may occur in child care settings and preschools.
Cause
Coxsackievirus, most often A16 (an enterovirus).
Symptoms
Low-grade fever lasting 1 to 2 days, runny nose, and/or sore throat. Blister-like rash occurs in the mouth, on the sides of the tongue, inside the cheeks, and on the gums. These sores may last 7 to 10 days. Blister-like rash may occur on the palms and fingers of the hands and on the soles of the feet. The disease is usually self- limited, but in rare cases has been fatal in infants.
Spread
The viruses leave the body through the feces of an infected person and enter another person when hands, food, or objects (such as toys) contaminated with feces are placed in the mouth. It also is spread through droplets that are expelled from the nose and mouth of an infected person during sneezing and coughing and by direct contact with respiratory secretions.
Incubation
It usually takes 3 to 6 days after exposure for symptoms to begin.
Contagious Period
The virus may be shed for several weeks to months in the feces. Respiratory shedding of the virus lasts for 1 to 3 weeks. Infected persons who may not seem sick are able to spread the virus.
Exclusion
Child Care and School: Until fever is gone and the child is well enough to participate in routine activities (sores or rash may still be present).
Treatment
No specific treatment.
Prevention/Control
- Cover nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing and sneezing or cough/sneeze into your sleeve. Dispose of used tissues.
- Regular and thorough handwashing is the best way to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm running water after using the bathroom, after changing diapers, after handling anything soiled with feces or secretions from the nose or mouth, and before preparing food or eating. Staff should closely monitor or assist all children, as appropriate, with handwashing after children have used the bathroom or been diapered.
- Clean and disinfect diapering area and potty chairs after each use and bathroom toilets, sinks, and toys at least daily and when soiled. Clean and sanitize mouthed objects and surfaces at least daily and when soiled. (See Section 2)
For more information, call the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) Bureau of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention at 573-751-6113 or 800-392-0272 (24/7), or call your local health department.
Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Parent Fact Sheet
Your child may have been exposed to:
Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a viral infection that causes a blister-like rash.
If you think your child has Croup:
- Tell your child care provider or call the school.
- Need to stay home?
- Child Care and School:
Yes, until fever is gone and the child is healthy enough for routine activities. Sores or a rash may still be present.
- Child Care and School:
Symptoms
Your child may have a runny nose, low-grade fever, and sometimes a sore throat.
A blister-like rash occurs in the mouth. It may be on the sides of the tongue, inside the cheeks, and on the gums. These sores may last 7 to 10 days. This rash may occur on the palms and fingers of the hands and on the bottom of the feet.
If your child is infected, it may take 3 to 6 days for symptoms to start.
Spread
- By coughing and sneezing.
- By touching contaminated hands, surfaces, and objects.
Contagious Period
During the first week of illness. The virus may be in the feces for several weeks.
Call your Healthcare Provider
- If anyone in your home has symptoms.
Prevention
- Cover nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing. Use a tissue or your sleeve. Dispose of used tissues.
- Wash hands after touching anything that could be contaminated with feces or secretions from the nose or mouth and before preparing food or eating. Your child may need help with handwashing.
- Clean and disinfect any objects that come in contact with feces or secretions from the nose or mouth. This includes toilets (potty chairs), sinks, mouthed toys, and diaper changing areas. Use a product that kills viruses.
For more information, call the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) Bureau of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention at 573-751-6113 or 800-392-0272 (24/7), or call your local health department.