10/12/2026
Hand, foot, mouth disease (HFMD) is most common in children under the age of 5. However, anyone can get it. This illness is usually not serious, but it is very contagious, especially amongst daycare and school-age children who are interacting with other children often. To prevent the spread of HFMD, it's important to wash your hands often, clean and disinfect surfaces, and avoid close contact with others.
Symptoms are often mild and last 5-7 days. Common symptoms of HFMD are:
Fever
Sore throat
Painful mouth sores that blister
Rash commonly found on the hands and feet
To manage HFMD, use over-the-counter medications to relieve fever and pain caused by mouth sores. Never give aspirin to children. It's also important to prevent dehydration (loss of fluids) by drinking enough liquids. Mouth sores can make it painful to swallow, so your child may not want to drink much, but it's important to make sure they drink enough liquids.
Because HFMD is normally mild, children can continue to go to child-care and schools as long as they:
Have no fever.
Feel well enough to participate in class.
Have no uncontrolled drooling with mouth sores.
This virus is also spread through open sores. Therefore, some schools/daycare may have this included in their restrictions.
To schedule an appointment with MVHC Child Health, call or text 740-891-9000, or walk-in to one of our MVHC Urgent Cares no appointment needed.
