Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a mild, contagious viral infection that’s common in children. The illness causes sores in the mouth and a rash on the hands and feet.
Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is spread most often in child care centers. This is due to diaper changes, potty training, and children who frequently put their hands in their mouths.
An infected child is most contagious the first week of the illness, but the virus can remain in the child’s body for weeks even after signs and symptoms have cleared up—meaning the child is still contagious. Additionally, adults can spread the virus even if they don’t have any signs or symptoms.
Primarily, hand, foot, and mouth disease primarily affects children under the age of 10, often those under 5.
It’s unlikely for adults to become infected because as children grow older they develop immunity to HFMD by building antibodies after being exposed to the virus that causes the disease. It’s still possible for adolescents and adults to get the disease, but it’s rare.
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