Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease
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Hand, foot, and mouth disease is common in children under 5 years old, but anyone can get it.
The illness is usually not serious, but it is very contagious. It can spread quickly at schools and day care centers.Symptoms of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) usually include fever and flu-like symptoms, mouth sores, and skin rash. The rash is commonly found on the hands and feet.
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is common in infants and children younger than 5 years old. Most children have mild symptoms for 7 to 10 days.Our newest protocol requires that someone with a positive case remain out of school/ work until they are fever-free for >24 hours without the use of medication and when the rash/ sores have scabbed over.
What can you do to help prevent the spread of hand, foot, and mouth disease?
1.) Always wash your hands:
- After changing diapers.
- After using the toilet.
- After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- Before and after caring for someone who is sick.
Help children wash their hands. Teach them how to wash their hands and make sure they wash them often. Help them keep blisters clean and avoid touching them. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, especially with unwashed hands.
2.) Avoid touching someone who has HFMD, such as hugging or kissing them.
Can my child return to school if they are sick?
Because HFMD is normally mild, children can continue to go to child care and schools as long as they:
- Have no fever.
- Have no uncontrolled drooling with mouth sores.
- Feel well enough to participate in classroom activities
- Have only sores/ lesions that are scabbed over (not open)
Talk with your child’s healthcare provider if you are still not sure when it is okay for them to return. In some cases, the local health department may require children with HFMD to stay home to control an outbreak.