Back-to-School Could Bring a Surge in HFMD
As children return to classrooms and daycares, the highly contagious hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) can spread quickly through close contact. Even professional athletes aren’t immune: golfer Scottie Scheffler recently competed while dealing with the illness, giving Rory McIlroy an unexpected reminder of how easily it can travel.
McIlroy joked about whether he should keep his distance from Scheffler after learning that his fellow golfer had HFMD. Scheffler later explained that he had developed painful blisters on his hands and feet as well as sores in his throat.
Although HFMD is particularly common among young children, adults can catch it as well. That makes the back-to-school period a particularly important time for families to emphasize basic hygiene and watch for symptoms.
Recognizing Hand, Foot and Mouth
HFMD typically begins with symptoms such as fever, sore throat, reduced appetite and fatigue, followed by painful sores inside the mouth. A rash or small blisters can then appear on the hands and feet, and sometimes elsewhere on the body.
The mouth sores can be particularly troublesome for young children because swallowing may hurt. CHOP recommends treating mouth pain so children continue drinking and don’t become dehydrated.
Most cases are relatively mild and resolve on their own within seven to 10 days. The illness is caused by enteroviruses and spreads readily through respiratory droplets, contaminated surfaces and contact with bodily fluids.
What Parents Can Do
There is no specific cure for HFMD, so treatment generally focuses on making children comfortable while their immune systems fight the infection. Parents can offer plenty of fluids and use appropriate fever or pain medication according to medical advice.
Cold, soft foods such as yogurt, smoothies and ice pops can make eating easier when mouth sores hurt. Parents should also watch closely for signs of dehydration, particularly if a child is refusing to drink.
Prevention comes down to the basics: frequent hand-washing, cleaning commonly touched surfaces and avoiding close contact with people who are sick. With children returning to crowded classrooms and daycare settings, those habits can help limit the spread of HFMD—and keep a family from experiencing its uncomfortable ripple effect.
