Parents Urged To Know The Symptoms Of Hand Foot And Mouth Disease

The West Central Health District in Columbus started warning parents that there have been some reports of hand, foot and mouth disease. With the virus being so contagious, it’s hoping that making parents aware will help to prevent the spread.

“The illness is typically mild, and nearly all people recover in 7 to 10 days without medical treatment. HFMD is caused by several different viruses and it’s possible that people can get the disease again. In rare cases, further complications can occur,” the public notice said.

HFMD is highly contagious and can be spread if someone who has it sneezes on you, or if you make close contact with someone who has it, either through kissing or hugging or sharing of drinks.

It can also be spread through bodily fluids, like if you touch the stool when changing a diaper of someone who has it. Touching a doorknob or a toy that someone who has the virus has also touched can spread the virus!

Symptoms include fever, sore throat, a rash or small blisters on the palms of hands, soles of feet, and/or buttocks, as well as lethargy and poor appetite. 

There’s no cure for it because it’s a virus. There are however some good practices you can follow to help try and prevent you and your child from contracting it, such as:

• Frequent hand washing for both you and your child
• Avoid close contact with anyone who has HFMD.
• Use wipes which will disinfect things like doorknobs
• Wash your child’s toys frequently

HFMD is most contagious during the first week of the illness but you can, in fact, be contagious for weeks after the symptoms go away.