Hand Foot Mouth Disease Fact Sheet - Kent County, Michigan

Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease Fact Sheet – page 2active from the mouth and nose.How can hand, foot and mouthdisease be prevented?Direct contact with infected persons shouldbe avoided. Don’t share eating or drinkingutensils. If you must care for a person withHand, Foot and Mouth Disease, be sure towash your hands after giving care ortouching soiled clothing or bedding. Soiledarticles should be washed with soap ordiscarded.This fact sheet is for information only and isnot meant to be used for self-diagnosis or as asubstitute for talking with a health careprovider. If you have any questions abouthand, foot and mouth disease or think you mayhave it, call your health care provider.Always use good hygiene. Wash yourhands after using the bathroom and beforepreparing or eating food. Cover yourmouth and nose with a tissue when youcough or sneeze and then throw awaytissues immediately after use. Teach yourchildren these good hygiene practiceswhich will protect them against manydiseases as well as Hand, Foot and MouthDisease.Should a child with hand, footand mouth disease stay homefrom day care or school?There are no rules that say a child must stayhome. Children are often kept out of daycare, school or other group settings the firstfew days of the illness. This may reducethe spread of infection, but will notcompletely stop it. Keeping sick childrenhome may not prevent more cases since thevirus is present in stool for weeks after thesymptoms have disappeared. Some peoplewho have the virus in their stool may haveno symptoms. It may be helpful to keepchildren home who have blisters in theirmouths and drool or who have weepingsores on their hands.©2004 Kent County Health Department700 Fuller Ave NEGrand Rapids, Michigan 49503616/632-7100www.accesskent.com