Hand, foot and mouth disease is a common viral infection in children under age 5, but older kids and adults can also catch it. Symptoms include painful mouth sores, fever, sore throat and a skin rash on the hands, feet and diaper area.

Hand, foot and mouth disease spreads easily on unwashed hands contaminated with feces, saliva, mucus from the nose, or fluid from the blisters of an infected person. Infections are common where kids are in close contact, such as child care centers and schools.

In addition to the mouth sores, fever and rash, dehydration is possible because mouth pain makes it difficult to swallow liquids.

There’s no cure for hand, foot and mouth disease and no vaccine against the coxsackievirus that typically causes it.

Symptoms usually clear up within a week to 10 days. Children recover completely and complications from the infection are rare, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).While you or your child is sick, you can manage symptoms with over-the-counter pain relievers and fever reducers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Never give aspirin to a child, as it could cause Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious condition that affects the brain and liver.

Children should drink plenty of fluids and be offered cold foods like ice cream, smoothies and popsicles, which help by numbing the mouth and are a welcome treat for kids who have trouble swallowing. Avoid hot drinks, sodas and acidic beverages such as citrus juice because they can make the pain worse.

Keep the rash on hands or feet clean and uncovered. Wash with lukewarm water and soap , then pat dry. If a blister pops, use antibiotic ointment and a bandage to help prevent a secondary bacterial infection and to contain the virus in the blister fluid.

Seek help from a medical professional if your child can’t be comforted, is sluggish or seems to be getting worse. Also see a provider if you see signs of dehydration, like a dry or sticky mouth, sunken eyes and peeing less than usual or having fewer wet diapers.

Returning to School or Day Care

Consult your pediatrician to make sure the risk of infecting others has passed. Generally, kids can return to school or day care once they have no fever, feel well enough and aren’t drooling because of the painful sores.

Preventing Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

To prevent the spread of the virus, keep kids home from school and child care while they have a fever or open blisters on the skin and in the mouth.

Good hand-washing is the best protection. Remind everyone in your family to wash their hands well and often, especially after using the toilet or changing a diaper, and before preparing or eating food.

Shared surfaces and toys in child care centers should be cleaned often with a disinfectant.