At a glance
- Painful mouth sores with spots or blisters on hands and feet suggest HFMD; the buttocks and limbs can also be involved.
- Most children recover in 7–10 days. Mouth pain can reduce drinking, so hydration is a main concern.
- Offer frequent small drinks and continue usual milk feeds as tolerated. Track drinking and urine; fewer wet diapers or much less urine needs medical advice.
- Contact a clinician if drinking is difficult, fever lasts longer than 3 days, symptoms are not improving after 10 days, or the child is younger than 6 months or immunocompromised.
- CDC allows attendance when there is no fever, the child can participate, and mouth sores do not cause uncontrolled drooling. Follow local outbreak and school policies.
- HFMD is viral. Antibiotics do not treat the virus. Wash hands, especially after diaper changes, and clean shared surfaces.
Assessment and recognition
Painful mouth sores with spots or blisters on hands and feet suggest HFMD; the buttocks and limbs can also be involved.
Most children recover in 7–10 days. Mouth pain can reduce drinking, so hydration is a main concern.
Care and follow-up
Offer frequent small drinks and continue usual milk feeds as tolerated. Track drinking and urine; fewer wet diapers or much less urine needs medical advice.
Contact a clinician if drinking is difficult, fever lasts longer than 3 days, symptoms are not improving after 10 days, or the child is younger than 6 months or immunocompromised.
HFMD is viral. Antibiotics do not treat the virus. Wash hands, especially after diaper changes, and clean shared surfaces.
School and everyday life
CDC allows attendance when there is no fever, the child can participate, and mouth sores do not cause uncontrolled drooling. Follow local outbreak and school policies.
Common questions
What does hand-foot-mouth disease look like?
Painful mouth sores with spots or blisters on hands and feet suggest HFMD; the buttocks and limbs can also be involved.
What if mouth sores make drinking painful?
Offer frequent small drinks and continue usual milk feeds as tolerated. Track drinking and urine; fewer wet diapers or much less urine needs medical advice.
When can a child with HFMD return to school?
CDC allows attendance when there is no fever, the child can participate, and mouth sores do not cause uncontrolled drooling. Follow local outbreak and school policies.
When should I call the doctor for HFMD?
Contact a clinician if drinking is difficult, fever lasts longer than 3 days, symptoms are not improving after 10 days, or the child is younger than 6 months or immunocompromised.
Sources
Written for Pedemy in our own words from the sources above; checked October 2026. For education only, not medical advice. Pedemy is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by the organizations cited.