Dots, dots, and more dots. The rash and bumps covering your hands, feet, and the inside of your mouth aren’t chickenpox, though. Nope, you have a case of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD). Show
If you or your little one has HFMD, you may need to stay home for 7 to 10 days, depending on your symptoms. It takes between 4 and 6 days for symptoms to show after you have HFMD. Read on to find out what you should expect when it comes to recovering from HFMD and how you can avoid transmitting it to others. HFMD is very contagious. To help prevent the spread of HFMD, it’s important to stay home from school or work while you or your child have symptoms. Anyone with HFMD needs to feel well, be fever-free for at least 24 hours, and have all HFMD blisters completely healed for quarantine to end. For most people, this means avoiding contact with others for at least 7 days. HFMD is a very common viral illness. It’s transmitted through spit, poop, respiratory particles, and even contaminated surfaces. Be sure to notify your child’s day care, nursery, or school as soon as possible if they are diagnosed with HFMD. People with HFMD need to stay home and away from other people. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you wash and sanitize toys. Sanitize surfaces in your home, especially surfaces other family members may touch, too. Treat symptoms like fever and itching with over-the-counter remedies as needed. Drink plenty of fluids and rest. HFMD is a viral disease that can leave a rash or blisters on your hands, feet, and mouth. People with HFMD may also have bumps on their elbows, knees, or buttocks. HFMD is most common in young children — especially those under 5 years — who have not built up the same immunity levels most adults have. Symptoms of HFMD usually begin to develop about 3 to 6 days after contracting the illness. They can include:
A fever and sore throat are usually the first signs of HFMD. These symptoms are typically followed within a few days by a rash and bumps that cover the hands, feet, mouth, and buttocks. It’s extremely rare, but some people may develop symptoms of complications from HFMD, such as:
HFMD can be transmitted through:
HFMD is very contagious. It can be transmitted to others before you notice symptoms. HFMD is typically caused by a strain of coxsackievirus, specifically coxsackievirus A16. However, the coxsackievirus is part of a group of viruses called enteroviruses, and other types of enteroviruses can also cause HFMD. HFMD will typically go away without treatment in 7 to 10 days. Because HFMD is caused by a virus, antibiotics won’t work to cure it. Instead, your doctor may recommend over-the-counter options to help relieve symptoms. These might include:
There are home remedies that may also help reduce common HFMD discomforts, such as:
HFMD should clear up in about 7 to 10 days. You’ll want to notify your doctor if symptoms get worse or last longer than 10 days. The body typically builds up an immunity to HFMD after having it, so the chances of getting it again are low. Though, since a number of viruses are responsible for HFMD, it’s possible to get it again from a different virus. Very rarely, HFMD may lead to:
Can you get hand, foot, and mouth disease twice?Yes, you can get HFMD twice. Because there are multiple viruses that can cause HFMD, you may become immune to one virus but get HFMD again from a different virus. Is hand, foot, and mouth disease dangerous during pregnancy?There’s typically no reason to be overly concerned if you get HFMD while pregnant. You’ll still want to try to avoid exposure to HFMD, though, because if you get HFMD shortly before delivery, there’s a chance it can be transmitted to the baby. Notify your healthcare professional if you become ill with HFMD while pregnant so they can closely monitor the situation. What can you do to avoid getting hand, foot, and mouth disease?Regular handwashing is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of HFMD. Avoiding contact with people who have HFMD is also important to help reduce your chance of contracting it. HFMD is a common, easily transmitted illness that can leave your hands, feet, and mouth covered in uncomfortable red bumps. If you get HFMD, you’ll need to stay home and avoid contact with others until your symptoms are gone, which can take up to a week. Washing your hands and any objects that go into the mouth can help reduce the risk of contracting HFMD. Notify your doctor or another healthcare professional if you believe you or your child has HFMD. They can diagnose, advise, and prescribe medication as needed. How long do you have to stay home with hand foot and mouth?Return to School:
Can return to child care or school after the fever is gone. Most often, this takes 2 to 3 days. Children with widespread blisters may need to stay home until the blisters dry up. That takes about 7 days.
Do you have to isolate with hand foot and mouth disease?You should keep your child away from nursery or school until they're feeling better. Adults with the condition should stay away from work until they're feeling better. See preventing hand, foot and mouth disease below for more information about stopping the infection spreading.
How Long Can adults be carriers of hand foot and mouth disease?How long does HFMD last in adults? According to the AADA, most of the signs and symptoms of HFMD clear within 7–10 days. However, the CDC notes that people can spread the virus for days or weeks after symptoms disappear and if they have had no symptoms at all.
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