Hand, foot and mouth disease

What is hand, foot and mouth disease?

Many people panic when they're told they have hand, foot and mouth disease. They think they’ve got the infection that affects cattle, sheep and pigs, but the animal infection is called foot-and-mouth disease and is completely unrelated.

Causes and risk factors

Hand, foot and mouth disease is common in small children but can occur at any age. It's caused by one of several viruses, most commonly coxsackie virus A16, one of a group of viruses called enteroviruses. This is quite contagious, especially in the first week of illness, and is spread through direct contact.

Symptoms

The name of the infection comes from the fact that a rash develops on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet (and sometimes spreads further out to the legs and bottom), accompanied by sores in the mouth.

The rash takes a couple of days to appear and consists of small, flat or raised red spots, some with blisters. Similar spots in the mouth, usually on the tongue, gums and inside of the cheeks, may progress into mouth ulcers.

The child is also usually feverish, has a sore throat and feels generally unwell.

Treatment and recovery

Hand, foot and mouth disease is rarely serious. Most people need no specific medical treatment and are better within a week or so. Complications are rare, but occasionally it can lead to mild viral meningitis.

You can take simple remedies for any unpleasant symptoms, such as pain relief for the ulcers and blisters or to lower fever. Children should be given paracetamol or ibuprofen syrup. Aspirin is no longer recommended for children under 16, because of a possible link with a serious problem called Reye's syndrome.

You can also try giving them soft cold foods such as yoghurt or ice cream, and plenty of cold drinks, to ease the discomfort of a soft mouth.

Children are sometimes excluded from nursery or school during the first few days of the illness in an attempt to prevent it spreading, but this can be difficult as the viruses that cause it are widespread in the community.