Hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) - symptoms, infection and treatment

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is a contagious viral disease with blisters on the hands, feet and mouth. Find out more about symptoms, infection and treatment options.

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Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is a contagious viral disease with blisters on the hands, feet and mouth. Find out more about symptoms, infection and treatment options.

The hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) is a highly contagious viral infection that mainly affects infants and children under the age of 10.viral infection that mainly affects infants and children under the age of 10, but can also occur in adults. It is usually caused by Coxsackie viruses (type A16) or enteroviruses (type 71) and spreads via droplet infection, direct skin contact or contaminated surfaces. Outbreaks occur in nurseries and schools in particular, as the virus is easily transmitted via saliva, nasal secretions, stool or vesicular fluid.

Typical symptoms occur after an incubation period of 3 to 7 months.incubation period of 3 to 7 days and often begin with mild fever, sore throat, loss of appetite and general malaise. Subsequently, painful blisters and red spots develop on the hands, feet, mouth and throat and occasionally on the buttocks or knees. The blisters can lead to painful swallowing difficulties, which is why affected children often eat and drink less.

Since hand-foot-and-mouth disease is caused by viruses, there is no specific drug therapy. Treatment is symptomatic with painkillers and antipyretics, cooling mouth gels and soft and cool foods to reduce pain when eating. It is particularly important to drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.

The risk of infection is particularly high as long as vesicles are present, but can also persist weeks after the symptoms have subsided via the stool. Careful hygiene with regular hand washing, disinfection of surfaces and avoiding close contact with sick people helps to prevent the virus from spreading.

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