The essentials

Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common viral illness that causes fever, a sore throat, mouth ulcers and a rash of small blisters on the hands and feet. It mostly affects children under 10 but can affect adults. It usually clears up on its own in 7 to 10 days, and antibiotics do not help. The main risks are dehydration and, rarely, complications such as seizures. The diagnosis is usually made from the symptoms, so most people need no blood test.

What is hand, foot and mouth disease, at a glance?

  • Cause: an enteroviral infection, most commonly coxsackievirus A16[1][4].
  • Who: children under 10 most often; teens and adults sometimes[1].
  • Season: usually summer and early fall[1].
  • Duration: usually better in 7 to 10 days[2].
  • Not to be confused with foot and mouth disease in farm animals, which is a different illness[2].

What are the symptoms and stages of hand, foot and mouth disease?

Symptoms start about 3 to 7 days after contact with the virus[1]. They usually come in two stages[2]:

  • First days: a sore throat, a high temperature and not wanting to eat[2]. Headache can occur too[1].
  • A few days later: painful mouth ulcers, and a raised rash of spots on the hands and feet, sometimes the groin area and bottom. The spots can look pink, red or darker than the surrounding skin and can turn into blisters[2].

Symptoms are usually mild and are the same in adults and children[2]. If you are not sure your child has it, other rashes in children can look similar; see for example chickenpox and measles.

When should I see a doctor?

When to see a doctor

  • Emergency: call 911 for convulsions or seizures[1], or if a child is very drowsy, hard to wake or has trouble breathing.
  • Within 24 hours for signs of dehydration (dry skin and mouth, weight loss, irritability, less alert, passing less urine or dark urine), a high fever that medicine does not lower, or pain in the neck, arms or legs[1][2]. Also call if you or your child cannot drink because of mouth pain.
  • Within a few days if symptoms have not improved after 7 to 10 days, and as soon as possible if you are pregnant and get the illness[2]. Check with the doctor's office before going, because it can spread to other people[2].

What causes it, and how does it spread?

The virus spreads in coughs and sneezes, in stool and in fluid from the blisters, and by touching contaminated objects such as toys and doorknobs and then your nose, eyes or mouth[1][2]. You can start spreading it a few days before symptoms and are most likely to spread it in the first 5 days after they start[2]. You can get it more than once[2].

  • Common Young children, especially in daycare and school, where hands and toys are shared[1].
  • Possible Close contact with a household member who is ill[1].
  • Rare Other enteroviruses can cause the disease, and some are linked to complications affecting the nervous system[3][5].

Is a blood test needed to diagnose it?

Usually not. The diagnosis is normally made by asking about the symptoms and looking at the rash on the hands and feet[1][5]. Because it is a viral illness with a typical pattern, routine blood tests are not part of the usual work-up. If a doctor does order tests, it is usually to look at another cause or at complications such as dehydration. If you have a report from such a test, our guides to blood count and CRP help you read the common values.

Do you have lab results that came back during a child's illness? BloodSense walks you through each line and helps you prepare questions for the doctor.

Get my results explained

How is hand, foot and mouth disease treated?

There is no specific treatment other than relieving symptoms, and antibiotics do not work because a virus causes the infection[1]. No doses are given here; ask a pharmacist or doctor.

  • Drink cool fluids to soothe the mouth and prevent dehydration, and avoid acidic drinks such as fruit juice and soda[1][2].
  • Eat soft foods such as yoghurt and avoid hot, salty and spicy foods[2].
  • Paracetamol (acetaminophen) or ibuprofen can ease fever and a sore mouth. Aspirin should not be given to children and teens up to age 18 for viral illnesses[1][2].
  • A salt-water mouth rinse may soothe older children and adults. A pharmacist can suggest mouth ulcer gels, sprays and mouthwashes that are suitable for children[1][2].

Complete recovery usually occurs in 5 to 7 days according to MedlinePlus, and the NHS says 7 to 10 days[1][2]. The possible complications are dehydration and febrile seizures from a high fever[1]. Rarely, some viruses that cause the disease are linked to more serious neurological problems and, very rarely, to death[3].

Should my child stay home from school?

Keep your child off school or nursery while they feel too unwell to go. As soon as they feel better they can go back, and there is no need to wait until all blisters have healed; keeping them away longer is unlikely to stop the illness spreading[2]. This is UK guidance; check your own school's rules.

How can I stop it from spreading?

  • Wash hands often with soap and water, and wash children's hands too[1][2].
  • Use tissues for coughs and sneezes and bin them quickly[2].
  • Do not share towels, cups or cutlery[2].
  • Wash soiled bedding and clothes on a hot wash[2].
  • Avoid contact with people who have the illness[1].

Vaccines against the most common causes have been developed in some countries, but because several viruses circulate they do not cover every case[3].

What about pregnancy?

There is usually no risk to the pregnancy or baby. But catching it shortly before giving birth can mean the baby is born with a mild version, so avoid close contact with anyone who has it and speak to a doctor or midwife if you have been in contact[2].

Questions to ask your doctor

  1. Is this hand, foot and mouth disease, or another rash illness?
  2. How do I tell if my child is getting dehydrated?
  3. Which pain relief is suitable for my child's age?
  4. When can my child go back to school or daycare?
  5. I am pregnant: what should I do?

Frequently asked questions

Can adults get hand, foot and mouth disease?

Yes. It is more common in children, but it can also affect adults, and the symptoms are usually the same[1][2].

How long is hand, foot and mouth disease contagious?

You can start spreading it a few days before symptoms, and you are most likely to spread it in the first 5 days after they start; it is most easily spread during the first week[1][2].

Can you get it more than once?

Yes[2].

Do antibiotics help?

No. Antibiotics treat bacterial infections, not viral ones[1].

Is it the same as foot and mouth disease in animals?

No. They are different illnesses[2].

  1. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Hand-foot-mouth disease. Reviewed July 2025. US National Library of Medicine. medlineplus.gov (accessed October 23, 2026)
  2. NHS. Hand, foot and mouth disease. Reviewed May 2024. nhs.uk (accessed October 23, 2026)
  3. Esposito S, Principi N. Hand, foot and mouth disease: current knowledge on clinical manifestations, epidemiology, aetiology and prevention. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2018;37(3):391-398. doi:10.1007/s10096-018-3206-x (accessed October 23, 2026)
  4. Zhu P, Ji W, Li D, et al. Current status of hand-foot-and-mouth disease. J Biomed Sci. 2023;30(1):15. doi:10.1186/s12929-023-00908-4 (accessed October 23, 2026)
  5. MSD Manual Consumer Version. Hand-foot-and-mouth disease. msdmanuals.com (accessed October 23, 2026)

This page is general information. It does not replace the advice of a doctor, who interprets your symptoms, history and examination.