Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a typically minor, but contagious, viral infection that commonly affects young children. It’s characterized by sores in the mouth and a rash on the hands, feet, and sometimes bottom.
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is often caused by a coxsackievirus. Unfortunately, there’s no specific treatment for the infection, but usually it’ll go away on its own within 7 to 10 days.
The best way to prevent and reduce your and your child’s risk for hand, foot, and mouth disease is by practicing good hygiene and keeping your hands clean by washing them regularly. Here’s a look at what causes hand, foot, and mouth disease.
Causes
The most common cause of hand, foot, and mouth disease is a virus known as coxsackievirus A16—which is a strain of coxsackievirus. The coxsackievirus belongs to a group of viruses known as Enteroviruses, although some cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease are caused by other types of Enteroviruses.
These viruses are contagious and spread easily from person-to-person through direct contact with an infected person’s:
- Saliva
- Fluid from blisters
- Feces
- Respiratory droplets sprayed into the air after coughing or sneezing
The infection is also transmissible through direct contact with unwashed hands or an unclean surface containing traces of the virus.
Child care centers are the most common setting for hand, foot, and mouth disease due to regular diaper changes and potty training, also because young children frequently put their hands in their mouths.
If infected, your child is more contagious during the first week, however, the virus can remain active for weeks after symptoms have gone away—meaning your child can still spread the infection to others.
Sometimes the virus can be transmitted even though the person doesn’t have any symptoms, this is often the case for adults.
Risk Factors
Those most at risk for hand, foot, and mouth disease are children younger than 10 years old, especially those under the age of 5. Children in child care centers are especially vulnerable to outbreaks.
As they get older, children will usually develop immunity to hand, foot, and mouth disease by building antibodies following exposure to the virus that causes the infection. It’s possible, however, for adolescents and adults to contract the disease, but it’s rare.
