Introduction

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common viral infection. It mainly affects young children and causes spots or blisters on the hands, feet, and in or around the mouth. 

HFMD is usually mild but can be very uncomfortable and spreads easily through:

• person-to-person contact - touching or being close to someone who has the virus
• saliva and fluid droplets from coughing, sneezing, or talking
• fluid from the blisters
• contact with contaminated surfaces such as toys or water bottles
• contact with poo that carries the virus.

Children are at a higher risk of HFMD if they are:

• under 10 years old
• attending a childcare centre or school
• newborns with siblings in childcare or school.

HFMD is not related to foot-and-mouth disease, which affects animals.

Symptoms usually appear 3 to 7 days after infection and last 7 to 10 days. 

Common symptoms include:

• blisters – small red spots that turn into fluid-filled blisters, found inside the mouth, on hands and feet and around the nappy area in babies
• mouth pain and difficulty eating – difficulty eating or drinking due to mouth blisters or ulcers
• fever and feeling generally unwell
• skin rash – red rash with a scaly appearance on arms, legs, and feet.

HFMD is usually mild, but in rare cases, it can lead to severe illness. 

Doctors can usually diagnose HFMD by looking at your child’s blisters, spots and any other symptoms. Blood tests and swabs are not usually needed.

There’s no specific treatment for HFMD. It will usually get better on its own. 

Antibiotics do not work on viruses, so they are not needed for HFMD. 

You can help manage your child’s symptoms at home with:

• over the counter pain-relief – to manage mild pain and fever. Do not give aspirin to children
• fluids – water to prevent dehydration and cool fluids like ice-blocks and jelly to soothe mouth sores
• soft foods – to help encourage your child to eat while having mouth sores. Avoid acidic or tangy foods, as they can sting when in contact with sores
• rest at home – keep your child at home until all blisters have dried out
• blister care – let blisters dry out on their own; do not pop or squeeze them.