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| Hand Foot & Mouth Disease: |
| What you need to know |
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It's amazing how many bugs and viruses suddenly become part of your life and language when you become a parent! One of the
more common viruses that can affect younger children is Hand Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD). This highly
infectious virus has experienced a large outbreak recently, sweeping through many child care centres
in Western Sydney.
What is Hand Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD)?
HFMD is a highly contagious virus caused by several enteroviruses, including the coxsackieviruses.
It is not linked to the foot and mouth disease that affects animals. Enteroviruses are very common, second
only to the cold viruses. HFMD regularly occurs in child care and kindergartens, mostly infecting children
under 10 years old. Most people have been exposed to the virus by the time they are adults. Though uncomfortable
and disruptive, it is usually harmless. Severe HFMD can very occasionally lead to other illnesses that
can affect the brain (meningitis), lungs, heart and eyes. However, this is very rare.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms can appear three to seven days after initial contact with the virus. Symptoms include:
- Sore throat
- Fever
- Small blisters on hands, feet, inside the mouth, sometimes around the genitals
- Joint pain
- Irritability
- Tired
- Off food and fluids
How is it spread?
HFMD is highly contagious and spreads easily. It is in fluids from nose, mouth and chest. It is
also in the fluid inside the blisters, and in the faeces of infected children.
It spreads when children sneeze and cough, or through contact with the blisters or faeces.
It can occur at any time of year, and can affect anyone… yes adults too!
Is there treatment?
There is no treatment for the virus that causes HFMD, however you can treat the symptoms. Visit
your GP for diagnosis, then make sure your child has plenty of rest, administer pain relief with paracetamol,
and lozenges for older children who have a sore throat. It can be painful to swallow, so it’s important
to keep hydrated.
If your child shows any of the following signs, go back to your GP immediately:
- Refusing fluids and showing signs of dehydration
- Has a high fever (38°C+)
- Has a headache, or stiff neck or back pain
- Rapid breathing
- Excessive drowsiness
- Excessive irritability
How can you prevent HFMD?
HFMD is best prevented by good hygiene. Wash any towels, bedding, toys and other items that might
be contaminated, and avoid sharing any utensils, cups, water bottles, toys or towels. Practice good
hand hygiene and cover coughs and colds, placing any used tissues in the bin.
When can my child return to child care?
It can take five to seven days to recover from HFMD, once symptoms present. A child is infectious
until the blisters are completely dried up, so a child cannot go back to childcare, preschool or kindy
until all blisters have dried up.
The virus can still exist in the faeces of a child for several weeks after the blisters have dried
up, so good hygiene continues to be very important.
Although HFMD is not notifiable under the Public Health Act, it is advisable to report the case
to your child care centre or school to assist in the prevention of further spread of the virus.
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