Hand Foot and Mouth Disease
Overview
Definition
Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common illness in infants and children. It is characterized by fever, sores in the mouth, and a rash on the hands and feet. It occurs in warmer months. It is transmitted primarily between humans by direct contact with secretions from the nose and throat, saliva, fluid from blisters, or the feces of those who have HFMD.
Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease
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SymptomsandDiagnosis
Treatments
Prevention
To help reduce the risk of HFMD:
- Wash your hands frequently, especially after diaper changes.
- Clean contaminated surfaces with soap and water followed by a diluted solution of chlorine-containing bleach. (Mix about one-fourth of a cup of bleach with 1 gallon of water.)
- Avoid close contact with children with HFMD.
This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.
Edits to original content made by Denver Health.
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a (Vesicular Stomatitis With Exanthem)
RESOURCES
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases http://www.niaid.nih.gov
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov
CANADIAN RESOURCES
Canadian Pediatric Society http://www.cps.ca
Public Health Agency of Canada http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca
References
Hand-foot-and-mouth disease. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T116931/Hand-foot-and-mouth-disease . Updated June 27, 2017. Accessed December 21, 2017.
Hand, foot, and mouth disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/hand-foot-mouth/index.html. Updated January 6, 2017. Accessed December 21, 2017.
6/24/2014 DynaMed Plus Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T116931/Hand-foot-and-mouth-disease : Fang Y, Wang S, et al. Risk factors of severe hand, foot and mouth disease: A meta-analysis. Scand J Infect Dis. 2014;46(7):515-522.