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'Hand, foot and mouth disease' and 'foot and mouth disease' are different diseases. Foot and mouth disease affects animals, not humans and an outbreak has been reported in cattle in Indonesia and has since spread to Bali. For more information on foot and mouth disease, visit the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry website. Hand, foot and mouth disease is a very common viral disease of childhood which is easily passed from person to person. It usually causes a mild illness but rarely causes serious illness. It is not related to the foot and mouth disease that affects animals. Good hygiene helps prevent infection. Download as PDF Last updated: 26 July 2022What is hand, foot and mouth disease?Hand, foot and mouth disease is a common but highly contagious infection in children caused by enteroviruses, including coxsackieviruses. While generally a mild illness, some children will have fever, sore throat and tiredness and blisters which can be uncomfortable. It mainly occurs in children under 10 years of age but can also occur in older children and adults. It is not related to the foot and mouth disease that affects animals. What are the symptoms?
How is it spread?
Who is at risk?
How is it prevented?Good hygiene is the best protection:
How is it diagnosed?Your doctor can diagnose hand, foot and mouth disease based on the symptoms. Laboratory tests are not usually necessary. How is it treated?
What are the signs of a serious infection?Signs that an infant or older child might have a more serious form of hand, foot and mouth disease include any of the following:
If any of these signs are present then the child should be seen by a doctor urgently even if they have been checked earlier in the illness. Blisters in the mouth may also make it painful for children to swallow fluids. If a child continues to refuse fluids by mouth they should also be seen by a doctor. How long should children stay away from childcare and school?
What is the public health response?Hand, foot and mouth disease is not notifiable under the Public Health Act. However, to help prevent spread parents should report the illness to the director of the childcare centre or the school principal. Further informationFor further information please call your local public health unit on 1300 066 055. Information for health professionals See theEnteroviruses (non-polio) and human parechoviruses fact sheet - Information for clinicians. How do you know when hand Foot and mouth is no longer contagious?Because hand-foot-and-mouth disease is highly contagious, people with the illness should limit their exposure to others while they have symptoms. Keep children with hand-foot-and-mouth disease out of their child care setting or school until fever is gone and mouth sores have healed.
How long do you have to stay home with hand foot and mouth?Return to School:
Can return to child care or school after the fever is gone. Most often, this takes 2 to 3 days. Children with widespread blisters may need to stay home until the blisters dry up. That takes about 7 days.
How long are you contagious with hand, foot, and mouth disease treatments?How long is it contagious? You are generally most contagious during the first week of illness. But, children with hand, foot, and mouth disease may shed the virus from the respiratory tract (nose, mouth and lungs) for 1-3 weeks and in the stool for weeks to months after the infection starts.
How long does it take for hand foot and mouth to stop spreading?Most people with hand, foot, and mouth disease get better on their own in 7 to 10 days. There is no specific medical treatment for hand, foot, and mouth disease. You can take steps to relieve symptoms and prevent dehydration while you or your child are sick.
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