While hand, foot, and mouth disease is considered mild, at least by the Mayo Clinic, it doesn’t mean it’s pleasant. This contagious condition is common in children (especially when they’re regularly in a social setting such as a daycare) and is most commonly caused by the coxsackie virus.
The Mayo Clinic says symptoms can vary depending on the stage of the disease, but it usually doesn’t last very long (usually about a week). In some rarer cases, symptoms can become more severe, so keep an eye on them. The disease is more common in the fall.
Here’s everything to know about hand, foot, and mouth disease, including the signs, symptoms, and treatments…
1. Fever First
The Mayo Clinic says that the first sign of hand, foot and mouth disease is often a fever, followed by other symptoms such as a sore throat, and a loss of appetite, or generally not feeling well (known clinically as malaise).
The clinic notes that the other symptoms will usually show up 1 or 2-days after the fever starts, and the fever will generally last a few days. Of course, a fever can be tied to many other illnesses, so consult a doctor if symptoms don’t improve.