While colds, flu, RSV, and COVID take center stage when it comes to talking about winter and seasonal illnesses, one shouldn’t overlook HFMD or Hand, foot and mouth disease. HFMD typically impacts young children, but adults and older children aren’t immune to it. HMFD causes painful red blisters in the mouth and throat and on hands, feet, and the diaper area. HFMD is most common in children who are in childcare because young children need frequent diaper changes and help using the bathroom. They also tend to put their hands in their mouth.
Dr. Asma Khan, a pediatrician for OSF Healthcare says that it is most seen under the age of five.
There are two main viruses that cause HFMD, coxsackie and enterovirus. There is a three-to-five-day incubation period when patients are infected and spread the virus before the initial onset of symptoms. The virus spreads through saliva, stool, and respiratory droplets such as sneezing and coughing.
According to Dr. Khan, treatment is usually supportive care at home.
If your child has a high fever or shows no gradual improvement after a few days, you should call your physician. HFMD generally occurs during summer and fall, but Dr. Khan says outbreaks can still happen during the winter. She says that the most questions she gets asked involve when the child can return back to school.
For more information about HFMD, visit the OSF Healthcare website.
