Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (Vesicular Stomatitis)

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (Vesicular Stomatitis)
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
What is Hand, Foot, and Mouth
Disease?
Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease is a common
illness caused by a virus called Coxsackie
Group A.
It is found mostly in children under 10 but
adult cases can occur.
It is more common in summer and fall.
What signs and symptoms can you
have?
How does a person get Hand, Foot,
and Mouth Disease?
It is spread from person-to-person by contact
with fluids from the mouth and nose.
The stool of an infected person contains the
virus for several weeks after symptoms have
disappeared.
The virus can be passed from the fluid in the
blisters.
How do you treat Hand, Foot, and
Mouth Disease?
Some people may have no symptoms.
A person can get symptoms three to six days
after being in contact with an infected person.
Symptoms include:
fever for 1-2 days
a rash with small fluid filled blisters in
the mouth, on the hands, feet and
sometimes on the buttocks or groin
small red spots on the palms of the hands
or soles of the feet. The spots may turn
into small blisters
blisters in the mouth may break and
appear as small ulcers on the tongue,
gums and inside of cheeks.
the rash can last for seven to ten days.
Other common symptoms are headache, sore
throat, loss of appetite and lack of energy.
There is no specific treatment for this disease.
Treat the fever with acetaminophen (Tylenol,
Tempra).
IMPORTANT - DO NOT USE ASA (Aspirin,
acetylsalicylic acid) since it has been related to
severe illness when given to children with viral
infections.
Children with a rash should see their doctor.
Offer plenty of clear, cool fluids.
A person with fever or diarrhea needs to be
excluded from daycare or school.
Children with the disease may return to the
daycare or school if feeling well enough to
participate in activities.
During an outbreak, Public Health Services
may recommend that children with open
lesions on hands or in the mouth be excluded
from daycare.
CEAC 3128
December 2012
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How can you Help Prevent Hand,
Foot, and Mouth Disease?
Good personal hygiene is the best protection
against the spread of disease. This includes:
washing hands frequently
keeping hands away from nose and mouth
not sharing personal items such as a
toothbrush, towel, or water bottle.
Always thoroughly wash hands:
after using the toilet
after diapering a child
before preparing or handling food
before eating.
Shared toys should be cleaned well with soap
and water.
For general information regarding a
communicable disease contact a Public Health
Nurse at (306) 766-7790 or call the Provincial
Healthline at the toll-free number below.
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