Childhood Diseases and Illnesses
Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD)
Description/Symptoms
- Caused by a virus (coxsackievirus).
- Common viral illness of infants and children.
- The disease causes fever followed in 1 or 2 days by painful blister-like eruptions in the mouth usually located on the tongue, inside of the cheeks and gums, and/or a skin rash usually located on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet; it may also appear on the buttocks and/or genitalia.
- A person with HFMD may have only the mouth sores or only the rash.
- Blisters may persist for 7 to 10 days on palms, fingers and soles of feet.
- Virus is found in nose and throat discharges and feces of infected persons.
- Spread from person to person by unwashed virus contaminated hands, by direct contact with nose/throat discharges or feces and by droplet spread when the infected person coughs or sneezes.
- The period between exposure to the infection and the appearance of symptoms is usually 3 to 5 days.
- Most contagious during the first week of the illness and perhaps longer since virus can persist in the stool of infected persons.
- No vaccine is available to protect against the enteroviruses that cause HFMD.
Instructions for Schools
- Does not need to be reported to Peel Public Health.
- Once diagnosed by physician, student can return to school if well enough to participate in activities.
- Encourage thorough hand washing (PDF) and respiratory etiquette (PDF).
Notes
- Not related to the virus that causes disease in animals.
Resources and related links:
Disclaimer:
Peel Public Health is not responsible for the content of the linked websites and the information presented there.
