[5 MIN READ]
In this article:
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Hand, foot and mouth disease is a common condition in young children that often causes lesions on the fingers, mouth, feet and even buttocks.
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Most adults have already had some version of hand, foot and mouth, so they are less likely to get a severe version of the disease unless they have a compromised immune system.
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A Providence Swedish pediatric infectious disease expert explains a possible reason for the recent spread of hand, foot and mouth, and ways to reduce the spread.
What to know about hand, foot, and mouth disease and how it spreads
If you have a younger child in school or daycare, you may have heard rumblings about hand, foot and mouth disease. It tends to make its rounds in the late summer and early fall. But what is it, exactly? Should you be concerned? Is there anything you can do to prevent it?
To get some insight into hand, foot and mouth, we spoke with Frank Bell, M.D., a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Providence Swedish Pediatric Specialty Care. Dr. Bell also serves as a clinical associate professor at Washington State University’s Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine and vice president of the Washington Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Dr. Bell shares some facts so that parents and caregivers can keep this common virus on their radar.
What is hand, foot and mouth disease?
Hand, foot and mouth disease is a condition caused by an enterovirus. There are many types of enterovirus-related infections, including what may seem like the common cold.
“The name ‘enterovirus’ comes from ‘entero,’ meaning the intestinal tract, which is where these viruses usually live,” explains Dr. Bell. “Hand, foot and mouth is more familiar because we can give it a name. So often, we’re saying to parents, ‘Oh, your child just has a virus.’”
Enterovirus infections, including hand, foot and mouth, are most common in children ages 5 and younger. Typically, hand, foot and mouth starts with a low-grade fever. Then, ulcers or lesions appear on the outside of the fingers, mouth, feet and legs, and even the buttocks. These sores can become small, painful blisters or wounds.
Can adults get hand, foot and mouth?
Unfortunately, hand, foot and mouth disease is very contagious. That’s because it can easily spread by the respiratory, skin or intestinal routes. For kids who don’t wash their hands as often, put a lot of things in their mouths and don’t have fully developed immune systems, it’s easier to pick up an enterovirus.
The good news is that adults are less likely to get hand, foot and mouth.
“Most adults have had hand, foot and mouth or something very similar before, and we’re pretty well-protected,” says Dr. Bell. “But for young kids who haven’t had exposure or illness with all these types of enteroviruses, they’re at risk.”
That’s not to say adults can’t get hand, foot and mouth disease, since there’s no guarantee you’ve already been exposed to the same enterovirus your child might have. But it’s less common — and you’re less likely to get seriously sick.
Is it dangerous?
According to Dr. Bell, disease experts don’t associate hand, foot and mouth with long-term symptoms or serious consequences. Any enterovirus can cause serious infections, including myocarditis, heart inflammation, encephalitis or meningitis. But these diseases are really rare and don’t usually happen because someone has had hand, foot and mouth.
“We’re not going to be super worried about a child developing a complication of hand, foot and mouth because most kids get better by themselves,” he says.
However, if you know that you or your child has hand, foot and mouth, it helps to stay away from others — especially those with weakened immune systems.
“This isn’t the time to see Grandma, who has just recovered from her kidney transplant,” says Dr. Bell. “Wait until your child is recovering. They don’t necessarily have to be fully recovered to go back to school but should be without a fever and able to control their coughing, drooling, sneezing and other symptoms.”
Are cases of hand, foot and mouth on the rise?
Some doctors around the country are noticing more cases of hand, foot and mouth than in past years. Dr. Bell isn’t surprised. Most viruses operate in cycles.
Usually, there’s a period when a lot of virus goes around. During this time, many people get infected but are then immune. When people are immune, the virus can’t circulate as well. That doesn’t mean it goes away, though. Years might pass without a big outbreak. Then, suddenly, a school population where many kids haven’t been infected with something like hand, foot and mouth get it.
“Maybe part of what we’re seeing now is that there were three or four years where enteroviruses weren’t circulating,” says Dr. Bell. “Now, there’s a chance for them to catch everyone who wasn’t previously infected.”
How to prevent hand, foot and mouth disease
So, what can you do to avoid getting hand, foot and mouth? Currently, there isn’t a vaccine for the enteroviruses that cause hand, foot and mouth. But Dr. Bell says you can reduce the spread, just like for RSV, the flu, COVID or another respiratory virus.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after changing diapers or wiping noses.
- Teach kids hand hygiene and incorporate it into their day.
- Dispose of anything you use to wipe a child’s nose into the trash can immediately instead of leaving tissues lying around.
- Show kids how to sneeze and cough into something, like their shoulder or elbow, so they aren’t spraying into the classroom.
You know your child best
Most of the time, hand, foot and mouth isn’t a serious condition and doesn’t require a doctor’s visit. But Dr. Bell encourages parents and caregivers to use their instincts. If something seems wrong — maybe your child has a high fever, is lethargic or doesn’t seem to be acting right — don’t be afraid to seek advice.
“If hand, foot and mouth is going around in the community, you don’t need to be looking out for something unusual or complicated,” he says. “If you think your child needs to be seen, though, they probably do. You should respond to what your parental sense is telling you to do for your child. You’re not going to be wrong.”
Learn more and find a physician or advanced practice clinician (APC)
When you have questions or concerns about your child’s wellness, Swedish Pediatrics is here to help. Call today to schedule a visit.
You can also contact Swedish Primary Care to schedule an appointment with a primary care physician. If you or your child has an illness, you can connect virtually with your care team who can review your symptoms and give instructions and follow-up care as needed. With Swedish ExpressCare Virtual, you can receive treatment in minutes for common conditions such as colds, flu, urinary tract infections and more. You can use our provider directory to find a specialist or primary care physician near you.
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This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your health care professional's instructions.
