Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease
Due to having a confirmed case in our school we would like to share information with you about Hand, Foot and Mouth disease. If you have any concerns or would like further information please contact our Health Nurse Fiona Stratford 027 220 6846.
If your child has hand, foot and mouth disease, mild fever is usually the first sign.This starts 3–5 days after your child has been exposed to the disease.
Children are contagious for around 7–10 days.
Keep your child home from childcare or school until blisters have dried. If blisters are able to be covered and the child is feeling well, they won't need to be excluded.
- Frequent hand washing helps decrease the chance of becoming infected.
- Staying away from others who have the disease and not sharing toys during the infection also helps prevent the disease.
After the fever starts, your child may develop other symptoms, including:
- painful red blisters on their tongue, mouth, palms of their hands, or soles of their feet
- loss of appetite
- a sore throat and mouth
- a general feeling of weakness or tiredness.
The disease is usually mild and lasts 3-7 days.
The only medicine recommended for hand, foot and mouth disease is paracetamol.
Most blisters disappear without causing problems. In the mouth, however, some may form shallow, painful sores that look similar to cold sores. If your child’s mouth is sore, don’t give them sour, salty or spicy foods.
Make sure they drink plenty of liquids to avoid getting dehydrated.
Call Healthline 0800 611 116 if you are unsure what you should do.