Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) is not a reportable disease in Oklahoma.  HFMD is a viral infection caused by a virus from the enterovirus group called coxsackie virus.  It causes a fever and a blister-like rash that occurs on the hands, feet and in the mouth.  Symptoms can also include poor appetite, runny nose and soar throat.  The rash usually develops one or two days after these symptoms occur.  Persons can be infected with the virus and have no symptoms.

Anyone can get HFMD, but it usually occurs in infants and young children.  The virus is spread from person-to-person by direct contact with body fluids from infected persons.  Body fluids that can spread the virus are nose and throat secretions, fluid from blisters, and stool of infected persons.  People are contagious during the seven days after symptom onset.  The period between infection and symptom onset is three to seven days.  Infected persons who do not appear to be ill can also spread the virus to others.  HFMD should not be confused with a different disease that affects cattle, sheep, and pigs called “foot and mouth disease”

How to prevent hand, foot and mouth disease:

• Good personal hygiene, including hand hygiene, is the best way to prevent infection with coxsackie virus, especially after contact with a likely source such as after changing a diaper.
• Contaminated environmental objects should be cleaned with soap and water, followed by disinfection with a bleach solution.  One gallon of water plus ¼ cup of bleach will kill viruses on surfaces, however this solution needs to be mixed daily to be effective.
• Healthcare workers should wear disposable gloves when handling sheets or clothes soiled with the feces or urine of persons who are ill.

ADS Resources:
Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Fact Sheet

Other Resources:
CDC Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease