Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common viral illness that mostly affects children under 5, though adults can get it too. There is no cure and no specific antiviral treatment. What you do is manage symptoms — treat fever and pain with over-the-counter medication, keep the child hydrated, and let the illness run its course, which usually takes 7 to 10 days.
What To Do For Hand Foot And Mouth?
The core of home care comes down to three things: comfort, fluids, and time. Most children recover fully without any medical intervention.
Fever and pain. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can ease fever and sore throat. Ibuprofen should not be given to children under 6 months. Never give aspirin to a child with a viral illness — it is linked to Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious condition that causes brain and liver damage. Follow the dosing instructions on the package based on your child’s weight, not age alone.
Hydration. This is the part that matters most and the part most likely to go wrong. Mouth sores make drinking painful, so some children refuse fluids. Watch for signs of dehydration: fewer wet diapers, no tears when crying, dry mouth, sunken eyes, unusual sleepiness. Offer small amounts of fluid frequently rather than a full cup at once. Cold liquids like water, milk, or smoothies tend to be easier to swallow than acidic drinks like orange juice, which can sting open sores.
Food. Soft, bland foods are easier on a sore mouth. Yogurt, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, and soups that are not too hot are reasonable choices. Do not force food. A child who is drinking adequately can go a day or two eating little without harm.
Rest and isolation. Keep the child home from daycare or school while they have a fever and feel unwell. The virus spreads easily through close contact, saliva, and stool. Wash hands often, especially after changing diapers.
Why Mouth Sores Make Drinking So Hard
The hallmark of HFMD is a rash of small blisters or sores in the mouth — on the tongue, gums, and inside of the cheeks. These sores are painful, and swallowing hurts. That is why dehydration, not the virus itself, is the most common reason a child with HFMD ends up needing medical attention.
The rash can also appear on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and sometimes the buttocks. Blisters on the hands and feet look alarming but are usually not painful. The mouth sores are what cause real discomfort.
Some children, especially older kids and adults, may get the sores in the back of the throat and find swallowing genuinely difficult. If a child refuses all fluids for more than a few hours or shows signs of dehydration, call a doctor.
How Long Does Hand, Foot, And Mouth Disease Last?
The illness usually runs its course in about a week to 10 days. Fever typically lasts a few days and often goes away before the rash fully clears. Mouth sores tend to fade within a week. Blisters on the hands and feet can linger a bit longer and may peel as they heal.
Children are most contagious during the first week of illness, when they have a fever and are actively shedding virus. Some virus can be shed in stool for weeks after symptoms resolve, which is why handwashing after diaper changes matters even after the child seems well.
If symptoms are still getting worse after several days — fever climbing, child getting more lethargic, refusing all fluids — that is a reason to see a doctor rather than wait it out.
When Should You See a Doctor?
Most cases do not need a doctor visit. But some signs mean you should call.
- Signs of dehydration: no urine for 6 to 8 hours, dry mouth, no tears, unusual drowsiness.
- High fever that does not come down with medication.
- A child who refuses all fluids for more than a few hours.
- Severe headache, stiff neck, or back pain — these can signal a rarer complication.
- Weakness or loss of coordination in the limbs.
- Any case in an infant under 6 months, or in a child with a weakened immune system.
There is no specific antiviral treatment for HFMD. Antibiotics do not work because it is a viral illness. A doctor may prescribe a topical rinse or gel for mouth pain, though evidence for most of these is limited. Some clinicians recommend a numbing gel for mouth sores, but it should not be used in young children without medical guidance because of the risk of numbing the throat and affecting swallowing.
What Causes Hand, Foot, And Mouth Disease?
HFMD is caused by viruses in the enterovirus family. Coxsackievirus A16 is one of the most common causes, and enterovirus A71 is another. The illness is not the same as foot-and-mouth disease, which affects livestock and is caused by a different virus entirely.
The virus spreads through:
- Saliva and droplets from coughing or sneezing.
- Fluid from blisters.
- Stool — this is a major route, especially in young children in diapers.
- Contaminated surfaces and toys.
A person is most contagious during the first week, but the virus can stay in stool for weeks. Good handwashing — after diaper changes and before preparing food — is the most reliable way to reduce spread.
Can Adults Get Hand, Foot, And Mouth Disease?
Yes. Adults can and do get HFMD, though it is less common because most adults have some immunity from childhood exposure. When adults get it, symptoms can be milder or sometimes worse — some adults report more severe sore throat and fatigue than children do.
Adults are often the source of infection in a household without realizing it. They may carry the virus with mild or no symptoms and pass it to a child. Adults with HFMD should stay home while they have a fever and wash hands carefully. The same supportive care applies: fluids, rest, and over-the-counter pain relief.
How Do You Prevent Hand, Foot, And Mouth Disease?
There is no vaccine available in the United States for the viruses that cause HFMD. Prevention comes down to hygiene.
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after diaper changes, using the toilet, and before preparing food.
- Clean and disinfect shared toys and surfaces.
- Do not share cups, utensils, or towels.
- Keep children home from daycare or school while they have a fever and feel unwell.
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are less effective against enteroviruses than soap and water. If hands are visibly dirty or after a diaper change, wash with soap and water rather than relying on sanitizer.
Once a child has had one type of enterovirus, they develop immunity to that specific type — but there are multiple viruses that cause HFMD, so a child can get it more than once.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is hand, foot, and mouth disease contagious?
A person is most contagious during the first week of illness, when fever and sores are present. The virus can remain in stool for several weeks after symptoms resolve, so handwashing after diaper changes should continue.
Can a child with hand, foot, and mouth disease go to daycare?
Most guidance advises keeping the child home while they have a fever and feel unwell. Once the fever is gone and the child is eating and drinking normally, returning to daycare is generally considered acceptable, though some centers have their own policies.
Is hand, foot, and mouth disease the same as foot-and-mouth disease?
No. HFMD is caused by enteroviruses that infect humans, while foot-and-mouth disease is a different virus that affects cattle, sheep, and pigs. The two are not related.
What should I feed a child with hand, foot, and mouth disease?
Soft, bland foods that are not too hot or acidic are easiest on mouth sores. Cold fluids like water, milk, or smoothies are often better tolerated than citrus juices, which can sting.
