Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is caused by viruses from the enterovirus family, most commonly coxsackievirus A16, but other coxsackieviruses and enteroviruses can also cause it
. You get HFMD by coming into contact with the virus through:
- Respiratory droplets from a sick person’s cough, sneeze, or talk
- Direct contact with an infected person’s saliva, nasal secretions, or fluid from blisters
- Touching surfaces or objects contaminated with the virus, such as toys, doorknobs, or utensils, then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth
- Contact with an infected person’s stool, for example when changing diapers, and then touching your face without washing hands
The virus is highly contagious and can spread easily in places like schools and daycare centers, especially during summer and fall
. People with HFMD are most contagious during the first week of illness but can still spread the virus for days or weeks after symptoms disappear, even if they have no symptoms
. Good hygiene practices such as frequent handwashing, avoiding close contact with infected people, disinfecting surfaces, and not sharing personal items can help prevent getting or spreading HFMD
. There is no vaccine widely available in the U.S. to prevent HFMD, though an EV71 vaccine exists in some countries for specific strains
. In summary, you get hand, foot, and mouth disease by exposure to the virus through respiratory droplets, direct contact with infected fluids or stool, or touching contaminated surfaces and then your face
