Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is common in infants and young children. It usually causes fever, painful sores in the mouth, and a rash on the hands and feet. Most infected people recover in a week or two. Wash your hands often and practice good hygiene to reduce your risk of infection.
Hand, foot, and mouth disease, or HFMD, is a contagious illness that is caused by different viruses. It is common in infants and children younger than 5 years old, because they do not yet have immunity (protection) to the viruses that cause HFMD. However, older children and adults can also get HFMD. In the United States it is more common for people to get HFMD during spring, summer, and fall.
What Are the Symptoms of HFMD?
Symptoms of hand, foot, and mouth disease often include the following:
- Reduced appetite
- Sore throat
- A feeling of being unwell
- Painful sores in the mouth that usually begin as flat red spots
- A rash of flat red spots that may blister on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and sometimes the knees, elbows, buttocks, and/or genital area.
These symptoms usually appear in stages, not all at once. Also, not everyone will get all of these symptoms. Some people may show no symptoms at all, but they can still pass the virus to others.
Is HFMD Serious?
HFMD is usually not serious. The illness is typically mild, and nearly all people recover in 7 to 10 days without medical treatment. Complications are uncommon.
Rarely, an infected person can develop viral meningitis (characterized by fever, headache, stiff neck, lack of energy, sleepiness, or trouble waking up from sleep) and may need to be hospitalized for a few days. Other even more rare complications can include polio-like paralysis, or encephalitis (brain inflammation) which can be fatal.
HFMD Quick Facts
- Usually causes fever, painful sores in the mouth, and a rash on the hands and feet
- Is a contagious disease
- Mostly affects infants and children younger than 5 years old, but people of any age can be infected
- Has no specific treatment
- Infection risk can be reduced by practicing good hygiene, such as washing hands often
- Is not the same as foot-and-mouth disease
Is HFMD Contagious?
Yes. The viruses that cause HFMD can be found in an infected person's:
- Nose and throat secretions (such as saliva, sputum, or nasal mucus)
- Blister fluid
- Feces (poop)
HFMD spreads from an infected person to others through:
- Close contact, such as kissing, hugging, or sharing cups and eating utensils
- Coughing and sneezing
- Contact with feces, for example when changing a diaper
- Contact with blister fluid
- Touching objects or surfaces that have the virus on them
People with HFMD are most contagious during the first week of their illness. However, they may sometimes remain contagious for weeks after symptoms go away. Some people, especially adults, may not develop any symptoms, but they can still spread the viruses to others. This is why you should always try to maintain good hygiene, like washing hands often with soap and water, so you can minimize your chance of getting and spreading infections.
HFMD can cause a fever, mouth sores, and a rash on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
Who Is at Risk for HFMD?
HFMD mostly affects infants and children younger than 5 years old. However, older children and adults can get it, too. When someone gets HFMD, they develop immunity (protection) to the specific virus that caused their infection. However, because HFMD is caused by several different viruses, people can get the disease again.
Can HFMD Be Treated?
There is no specific treatment for HFMD. Fever and pain can be managed with over-the-counter fever reducers and pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. It is important for people with HFMD to drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration (loss of body fluids).
Can HFMD Be Prevented?
There is no vaccine to protect against HFMD. However, you can reduce the risk of getting infected with the viruses that cause HFMD by following a few simple steps:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after changing diapers, and help young children do the same
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
- Avoid close contact such as kissing, hugging, and sharing cups and eating utensils with people who have HFMD
- Disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects, such as toys and doorknobs, especially if someone is sick
Is HFMD the Same as Foot-and-Mouth Disease?
No. HFMD is often confused with foot-and-mouth disease (also called hoof-and-mouth disease), which affects cattle, sheep, and swine. Humans do not get the animal disease, and animals do not get the human disease.
- Page last reviewed: July 5, 2016
- Page last updated: July 5, 2016
- Content source:
- National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Division of Viral Diseases
- Page maintained by: Office of the Associate Director for Communication, Digital Media Branch, Division of Public Affairs