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'Hand, foot and mouth disease' and 'foot and mouth disease' are different diseases. Foot and mouth disease affects animals, not humans and an outbreak has been reported in cattle in Indonesia and has since spread to Bali. For more information on foot and mouth disease, visit the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry website. Hand, foot and mouth disease is a very common viral disease of childhood which is easily passed from person to person. It usually causes a mild illness but rarely causes serious illness. It is not related to the foot and mouth disease that affects animals. Good hygiene helps prevent infection. Download as PDF Last updated: 26 July 2022What is hand, foot and mouth disease?Hand, foot and mouth disease is a common but highly contagious infection in children caused by enteroviruses, including coxsackieviruses. While generally a mild illness, some children will have fever, sore throat and tiredness and blisters which can be uncomfortable. It mainly occurs in children under 10 years of age but can also occur in older children and adults. It is not related to the foot and mouth disease that affects animals. What are the symptoms?
How is it spread?
Who is at risk?
How is it prevented?Good hygiene is the best protection:
How is it diagnosed?Your doctor can diagnose hand, foot and mouth disease based on the symptoms. Laboratory tests are not usually necessary. How is it treated?
What are the signs of a serious infection?Signs that an infant or older child might have a more serious form of hand, foot and mouth disease include any of the following:
If any of these signs are present then the child should be seen by a doctor urgently even if they have been checked earlier in the illness. Blisters in the mouth may also make it painful for children to swallow fluids. If a child continues to refuse fluids by mouth they should also be seen by a doctor. How long should children stay away from childcare and school?
What is the public health response?Hand, foot and mouth disease is not notifiable under the Public Health Act. However, to help prevent spread parents should report the illness to the director of the childcare centre or the school principal. Further informationFor further information please call your local public health unit on 1300 066 055. Information for health professionals See theEnteroviruses (non-polio) and human parechoviruses fact sheet - Information for clinicians. How long after exposure to hand foot and mouth do symptoms appear?What are the symptoms and when do they start? Symptoms of fever, poor appetite, runny nose and sore throat can appear three to five days after exposure. A blister-like rash on the hands, feet and in the mouth usually develops one to two days after the initial symptoms.
How long before spots is hand foot and mouth contagious?Hand, foot and mouth disease is easily passed on to other people. It's spread in coughs, sneezes, poo and the fluid in the blisters. You can start spreading it from a few days before you have any symptoms, but you're most likely to spread it to others in the first 5 days after symptoms start.
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