Hand, foot, and mouth disease: What parents need to know

Hand, foot, and mouth disease in kids: Symptoms, treatment, and when they’re no longer contagious

5 things your pediatrician wants you to know about coxsackie.

By Deena Blanchard Updated Sep. 10, 2025

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“It’s going around,” is a common phrase I hear from parents. Right now, the normal seasonal increase in coxsackie virus (hand, foot, and mouth disease) is in full swing and we are seeing tons of kids with typical symptoms in the office. Even the mention of hand, foot mouth disease can send typically calm parents into full panic.

I’m hoping after reading this article, that parents will realize that while this illness can certainly make your little one feel very uncomfortable, it is rarely life threatening or dangerous. Typically, with some time, love and good pain control, your little one will seem back to himself in a few days.

Here’s are five things your pediatrician wants you to know about hand, foot and mouth disease:

It’s a virus. Hand, foot and mouth disease is an infection that is caused by a virus known as the coxsackie virus. I like to tell parents, “it’s a virus with a name.” It is no different than your child having a cold, it is just a different set of symptoms.

And just because a virus has a name does not mean it will make a child sicker or is more dangerous than other viruses. Fun fact: it is named after a town in upstate New York where the virus was discovered.

Symptoms can vary. Typical symptoms include: fever, sores on the back of the throat, fussiness, and a rash on the hands, feet and often buttocks. The rash typically looks like small red raised spots or bump and can look like blisters.

The sores in the mouth can be very painful and may cause your little one to have increased drooling or decreased food intake. The rash is not usually painful but can sometimes cause a little itching. It is possible for a child to have hand, foot and mouth without having a fever. Not everyone who contracts this virus will have the exact same symptoms.

It’s very contagious. The coxsackie virus is very contagious. It is spread by contact with an infected person’s saliva, mucous, or traces of bowel movements. Children are most contagious while they have fevers and sores in the mouth.

Good hand washing, especially after changing diapers, is super important. It is also important to clean toys, table tops and other things your little one is touching. Unfortunately, this virus has multiple strains, so even if your child already had this virus, he or she can get it again, even in the same season.

The treatment is NOT antibiotics. Since the infection itself is a virus, the treatment goals are keeping your little one comfortable and hydrated. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be very helpful with pain control.

Dosing is weight based and can be found on the Premier Pediatrics website. Never give aspirin to children. Encourage your little one to drink, and try to give him or her cool liquids or foods. The cool temperature helps relieve throat pain plus it gives them liquids. If you have any concerns about your child (such as he or she seems unusually irritable or lethargic, has headache or neck stiffness, is refusing to drink, is running fevers for more than three days), you should call your pediatrician right away.

Is HFMD contagious to adults? Yes, adults can get it! While, coxsackie virus is more common in children, adults can contract this illness as well.

How many times can you get hand, foot, and mouth disease?

Because there are multiple strains of the coxsackie virus, it is possible to get hand, foot, and mouth disease more than once. Some children may even contract it more than once in the same year if exposed to a different strain. While the body builds immunity to the strain it fights off, that immunity doesn’t protect against the others.

Can you have hand, foot, and mouth without a fever?

Yes, it is possible to have hand, foot, and mouth disease without a fever. Some children may only show signs like mouth sores, rash, or fussiness. This can make diagnosis tricky, which is why pediatricians look at the overall symptom pattern rather than relying on fever alone.

What to put on hand, foot, and mouth blisters

The blisters on hands, feet, and buttocks usually heal on their own without specific creams or ointments. To relieve discomfort, pediatricians recommend cool compresses or lukewarm baths with baking soda or oatmeal. Avoid topical creams unless directed by a doctor, as broken skin can be sensitive and prone to irritation.

When are you no longer contagious with hand, foot, and mouth?

Children are most contagious during the first week of illness, especially while they have fevers and open blisters in the mouth. However, the virus can still be shed in stool for weeks after symptoms go away. In general, a child can return to school or daycare once they are fever-free for 24 hours and feeling well enough to participate in daily activities.

How long does hand, foot, and mouth disease live on surfaces?

The virus that causes hand, foot, and mouth disease can live on surfaces such as toys, doorknobs, and countertops for several days. That’s why disinfecting frequently touched surfaces and practicing good handwashing are key steps in preventing its spread.

Lately, it does seem like everyone has coxsackie virus. But try not to worry too much: the virus is rarely dangerous and typically resolves on its own with time. So, while it’s a major bummer if your little one and/or you get it, you are in good company and can feel better knowing that, hopefully, your little one only needs 5 to 7 days to be up and running again. And don’t forget that hand washing is the best method of prevention, so load up on the soap and water and get scrubbing!

A version of this blog was published on September 13, 2016. It has been updated.

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Life, Children's Health, Health & Wellness