Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common, highly contagious viral infection that can cause diarrhea and other symptoms.
HFMD is most common in young children but can affect anyone of any age. It spreads via person-to-person contact and via contact with surfaces that have the virus on them. HFMD spreads particularly quickly in day care centers, classrooms, and dorm rooms.
Common symptoms include fever and painful sores affecting the mouth, hands, and feet. Children may have diarrhea and vomiting as well.
HFMD results from coxsackievirus, one of the non-polio enteroviruses, of which there are many different types. These viruses are carried through the intestines and may cause diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms, like nausea and vomiting.
Painful blisters affecting the mouth, throat, gums, and tongue are another common symptom of this disease. These blisters can make drinking and eating difficult.
If your child has diarrhea, fluid intake is vital to help prevent dehydration.
Symptoms of dehydration in children include:
- cracked, dry lips
- reduced urine output
- dark urine
- no tears when crying
- sunken eyes
In babies, there may also be a sunken fontanelle, which is the soft spot on the top of the head.
Replacing lost fluids is the best treatment for diarrhea due to HFMD. If your little one is having trouble drinking, try giving them ice pops to suck on.
Your child’s healthcare professional may caution you against giving your child sugary drinks, as these can sometimes worsen diarrhea. Oral rehydration solutions, like Pedialyte, can be beneficial for replacing electrolytes and lost fluids.
Most children can resume a regular, healthy diet as soon as they’re willing to eat.
Don’t give a young child over-the-counter antidiarrheal medication without their healthcare professional’s approval. If your child is under 1 year old, talk with their healthcare professional about managing HFMD symptoms, including diarrhea. Try to continue breast or chest feeding if you’re currently doing so.
If your child is showing symptoms of dehydration, call their doctor or take them to a medical facility immediately. They may need intravenous rehydration to prevent complications from dehydration.
Poor handwashing practices and close contact with others are risk factors for contracting and spreading this disease.
Diarrhea and other HFMD symptoms are most common in children under 5 years of age. But children of any age, as well as teenagers and young adults, may be at risk.
Different enteroviruses circulate annually. Once you’ve had exposure to a particular strain, you’re less likely to contract it again. This puts children at greater risk than adults, who acquire ever-increasing immunity over time. But having a compromised immune system increases the risk of viral transmission in adults.
HFMD tends to circulate during the
Fecal-oral transmission is the most common HFMD transmission method. If you change diapers regularly and don’t wash your hands thoroughly, you may spread the infection, even if you don’t have symptoms yourself.
Most kids who get diarrhea from HFMD get well at home without medical support. That said, you should make a healthcare professional aware of any diarrhea that’s severe or that lasts for more than a few days.
Very rarely, the virus that causes HFMD may enter the fluid surrounding the brain or the heart. This can cause severe complications. While it’s uncommon, you should try to monitor your child for symptoms like confusion, shortness of breath, and reduced alertness. If these symptoms occur, seek medical attention.
HFMD typically self-resolves within
What are the stages of hand, foot, and mouth?
The first symptoms of HFMD typically occur within 1 to 3 days after viral transmission. Early symptoms include fever, feelings of general illness, a sore throat, and little to no appetite.
Diarrhea and vomiting may start 1 to 2 days later. You’ll also begin to notice painful mouth sores during this stage.
The sores will turn into blisters within the next few days. During the disease’s final few days, red blisters will also erupt on the hands and soles of the feet. This rash may also show up in other areas of the body.
What is the quarantine period for hand, foot, and mouth?
The isolation period for HFMD is around 7 to 10 days. Your child should remain quarantined at least until they’re fever-free for 24 hours and have no open blisters. Check with your child’s school or camp to find out what their re-entry policy is.
Can hand, foot, and mouth spread to the stomach?
The virus that causes HFMD travels through the gastrointestinal tract, which includes the stomach. That’s why the virus is present in fecal matter (poop).
HFMD results from a virus that infects the gastrointestinal tract. Diarrhea and vomiting are common symptoms, as are blisters affecting the mouth, throat, and hands.
HFMD is typically mild and self-limiting. Diarrhea due to this disease usually resolves on its own within a few days. Keeping your child hydrated is essential to reducing the risk of dehydration.