Last Updated February This article was created by familydoctor. Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a common and contagious childhood illness, caused by a virus. The disease is easy to spot because of its classic symptoms—sores or blisters inside and outside the mouth as well as a rash red spots or sores on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Infants and children younger than age 5 are most likely to get the virus. But older children, teens, and adults can get it, too. A mild outbreak of the disease commonly occurs during summer and early fall. Not every person will have all of these symptoms. But they can still pass it on to others. Further symptoms can develop from complications. Because the sores make it painful to swallow, children and adults can become dehydrated.
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You felt under the weather with a mild fever and sore throat , but soldiered on with over-the-counter pain medicine. Where did they come from? The answer: From the same virus that caused your other symptoms. In hand, foot and mouth disease , coxsackievirus 16 is the usual suspect; less often, other enteroviruses are to blame. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. These tiny, fluid-filled blisters can develop in your throat, your tongue or your inner cheek, as well as on your hands and feet. How often do adults get hand, foot and mouth disease?
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Back to Health A to Z. Hand, foot and mouth disease is a common childhood illness that can also affect adults. It usually gets better on its own in 7 to 10 days. After a few days mouth ulcers and a rash will appear.
Health and Wellness. You pick your child up from daycare, and you notice she is developing a fever. A few days later, you see her scratching her palms. Once you notice the small sores that have formed around her mouth, it clicks. Hand, foot, and mouth disease HFMD has taken hold. HFMD cases can range from mild to severe. They are more likely to impact children 5 years and younger, and the disease usually clears up completely within 7 to 10 days.
