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The 1st symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease can be: a sore throat. a high temperature. not wanting to eat. The 2nd stage usually starts a few days later and symptoms can include: mouth ulcers, which can be painful. a raised rash of spots on the hands and feet, and sometimes the groin area and bottom.
- Childhood Rashes
The 1st symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease can be: a...
- Childhood Rashes
- Overview
- Is it more dangerous in adults?
- Symptoms in adults
- Causes
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Recovery
- Complications
- Prevention
- Can adults go to work with HFMD?
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a contagious viral illness most common in infants and young children. However, adults can also develop the illness if they have exposure to the virus. Symptoms are the same as those in children.
Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) can produce the same symptoms in adults as in children, but adults are more likely than children to be asymptomatic.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HFMD is generally not serious in adults or children.
The CDC notes that most people recover from HFMD in 7–10 days without medical treatment. However, children under the age of 2 years may stay sick longer.
The American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA) states that most adults do not experience symptoms if they contract HFMD. Those who do will generally have benign symptoms.
Complications that require medical intervention occur very rarely.
How long does HFMD last in adults?
According to the AADA, most of the signs and symptoms of HFMD clear within 7–10 days. However, the CDC notes that people can spread the virus for days or weeks after symptoms disappear and if they have had no symptoms at all.
Enteroviruses cause HFMD. According to the CDC, the viruses that most commonly cause the illness include:
•Coxsackievirus A16: This virus is the most common cause of HFMD in the United States.
•Coxsackievirus A6: People who contract this virus may experience more severe symptoms.
•Enterovirus 71 (EV-A71): This virus is the most common cause of HFMD in East and Southeast Asia.
A doctor will diagnose HFMD by performing a physical examination. This exam might involve the doctor:
•examining the rashes around a person’s mouth, feet, and hands
•asking the person about their symptoms
•taking a throat swab or stool sample to check for the presence of the virus
According to the CDC, almost all cases of HFMD clear up within 7–10 days with no medical intervention.
However, a person can treat the symptoms of HFMD at home by:
•taking over-the-counter pain medicines (acetaminophen or ibuprofen) to help reduce pain and fever
•drinking plenty of water and other fluids to help prevent dehydration
•using a numbing mouthwash to alleviate the pain of mouth sores
•avoiding hot, spicy, or acidic foods
If a person has symptoms, these should go away with or without treatment within 7–10 days. Adults may wish to take a few days off of work if they have severe symptoms.
It is important to note that the virus can pass to others for several days or weeks after symptoms go away.
Preventive steps, including washing the hands frequently and avoiding close contact with others, can help stop the spread of HFMD.
People with no symptoms can also transmit the virus. However, asymptomatic adults will usually not realize that they have the infection, so they are likely to continue their lives as normal.
In most cases, the risk of complications from HFMD is low.
The largest risk is dehydration. The CDC also identifies the following rare complications:
•loss of fingernails or toenails
•encephalitis or a polio-like paralysis
•viral, or aseptic, meningitis
People who are pregnant should let a healthcare professional know if they have developed symptoms of HFMD or come in contact with someone with the virus.
A person can take steps to avoid becoming ill. Many of the prevention methods for HFMD are also good for preventing other illnesses, such as the common cold. Measures to reduce the risk of an infection include:
•washing the hands frequently and thoroughly
•avoiding close contact with people who have HFMD
•washing and disinfecting surfaces and high-touch items regularly
Although most adults with HFMD don’t experience symptoms, they may still be contagious and can spread the virus to others.
People can stay contagious for days or weeks after their symptoms go away.
Oct 31, 2024 · Hand, foot and mouth disease is a common illness. It causes mouth ulcers and spots on the hands and feet. It’s most common in young children, particularly those under 10. But, it can affect older children and adults as well. The infection is not linked to foot and mouth disease, which affects cattle, sheep and pigs.
Nail changes following hand foot and mouth disease. View pictures of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) in the gallery below. This common, often mild and short-lasting viral infection is most frequently caused by a Coxsackie virus.
Oct 19, 2021 · Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a viral illness which commonly causes lesions involving the mouth, hands and feet. However, it may also affect other areas such as the buttocks and genitalia. The most common causes of hand, foot and mouth disease are Coxsackievirus A16 (CA16) and enterovirus 71 (EV71). It is normally a mild, self-limiting ...
Mar 25, 2023 · The incubation period for hand, foot and mouth is 3-5 days. This means it takes 3-5 days to develop symptoms after being infected by another person. Most cases of hand, foot and mouth are passed on by a cough or sneeze which transmits the virus into the air. It can also be passed on by touching the fluid in the blisters.
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Jul 27, 2023 · Treatment in Children. Treatment in Adults. Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a contagious illness common in children ages 5 and younger but can also impact adults. It’s caused by a group of viruses and is transmitted through close contact. Signs of HFMD include a fever and a painful rash of small blisters that appear on the hands, feet ...
