FAQs: What is hand-foot-and-mouth disease?

Katrina Boblin's photograph of the red bumps on her daughter's legs during their vacation in Cancun, Mexico (Courtesy: Katrina Boblin)

With several reports of children becoming infected with hand-foot-and-mouth disease while staying at resorts near Cancun, Mexico, here's a look at this little-known illness.

What is hand-foot-and-mouth disease?

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is a common viral illness that mostly affects toddlers, infants and children.

It causes sores to break out on the hands, feet and in and around the mouth. The sores or rash typically occur on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, or on toes, but may also appear on the knees, elbows, buttocks, or genital area.

Other common symptoms include fever, sore throat, generally feeling unwell, and loss of appetite.

Most adults are immune to the illness, but it is possible for teens and adults to become ill as well.

What causes it?

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is caused by a group of viruses called enteroviruses, most commonly coxsackievirus A16. The highly contagious viruses are found worldwide and outbreaks are not uncommon in daycares and other child care settings.

Is it serious?

The disease is usually mild and most kids recover in 7 to 10 days. Children can become infected more than once in a lifetime, but the symptoms tend to be milder as they grow older.

Dehydration is the most common complication of the disease, which can occur when kids refuse to drink because of the sores in their mouths.

When the disease is caused by a virus called enterovirus 71, a small number of patients will develop severe complications such as encephalitis or meningitis that requires hospitalization or that can lead to death.

How do kids get it?

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is highly contagious. It is spread through contact with contaminated saliva or mucus, from fluid from blisters, or the feces of an infected person.

The virus can travel in the air through coughing or sneezing, or be picked up by touching contaminated objects and surfaces.

Symptoms typically begin about three to seven days after contact with the virus.

How common are outbreaks?

Outbreaks of hand-foot-and-mouth disease can occur wherever small children convene such as in daycare or child care settings.

In Canada, outbreaks are more common in the summer and autumn months. In tropical climates, the risk of infection is year-round.

Infected kids are most contagious during the first week of their illness, but the virus can persist in feces for weeks.

Is this the same as the foot-and-mouth disease that affects animals?

No. The two diseases may sound similar but they are caused by different viruses and are not related. Humans cannot get the animal disease and animals cannot get the human disease.

How is it treated?

There is no specific treatment for hand-foot-and-mouth disease, nor is there a vaccine to prevent it. Some pain relievers can reduce fever and aches and provide relief from the pain of mouth sores.

How can outbreaks be prevented?

The best way to treat an active outbreak is with sanitization of all possibly contaminated surfaces. The viruses are resistant to many disinfectants so chlorinated (bleach) or iodized disinfectants are best.

Frequent handwashing or the use of hand sanitizer, especially before eating or after using the bathroom or changing diapers, can also help stop the spread of the disease.

It is also important that infected children remain quarantined while ill so as not to infect others.