Hand foot and mouth disease in adults incubation period

posted: Sep. 02, 2021.

Hand, foot and mouth disease isn’t a childhood infection that’s often discussed but should be. After all, this communicable viral infection is more common in young children than most people realize. If you are concerned about hand, foot and mouth disease, or would simply like to know more, your pediatrician can certainly provide you with the information you need. In the meantime, here are some FAQS that can help you get the facts on this contagious infection.

Is hand, foot and mouth disease dangerous?

While the name might make this condition sound rather frightening, the truth is that many kids under the age of five develop this illness. This is because these viruses are quite contagious. Even though this most often impacts young children, this infection can also present in older children, teens, and even adults.

What are the symptoms?

The incubation period for hand, foot and mouth disease is about 3-6 days from exposure. At first, symptoms may appear mild and look similar to the common cold (e.g. runny nose, fever, and sore throat); however, blisters will then start to develop within the mouth and on the body (often the palms of the hands and soles of the feet).

How is it diagnosed?

A diagnosis is often made by a pediatrician through a simple physical evaluation. They will go through your child’s medical history, examine the blisters and ask questions about your child’s symptoms to determine whether this could be hand, foot and mouth disease. Some testing may be performed to rule out other conditions.

How is hand, foot and mouth disease treated?

Unfortunately, there isn’t a medication that will get rid of hand, foot and mouth disease. Like most viral infections, the infection just has to run its course; however, there are certain things your pediatrician may prescribe or recommend that you do to ease your child’s symptoms. For example, ibuprofen may be recommended to help ease the pain as well as your child’s fever. Of course, it’s always a good idea to speak with your pediatrician before you start your child on any medication, even over-the-counter medications.

If your child develops symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease it’s important that you see your pediatrician as soon as possible for an evaluation, as they will want to make sure that this is truly what’s causing their symptoms.

'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.  

Last updated: 26 July 2022

What 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?

• Hand, foot and mouth disease starts with blisters that begin as small red dots which later become ulcers. Blisters appear inside the cheeks, gums, and on the sides of the tongue, as well as on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. In infants, blisters can sometimes be seen in the nappy area. Blisters usually last for seven 7 to 10 days. 

• Children can sometimes have a low fever, sore throat, tiredness, and feel off colour, and may be off their food for a day or two.
• Very rarely, enteroviruses can cause other illnesses that affect the heart, brain, lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis), lungs, or eyes.

How is it spread?

• Hand, foot and mouth disease is usually spread by person-to-person contact. The virus is spread from the faeces of an infected person to the mouth of the next person by contaminated hands. It is also spread by secretions from the mouth or respiratory system (often through sneezing and coughing), by direct contact with the fluid from blisters, and via objects or surfaces with the virus on them.
• It usually takes between three and five days after contact with an infected person before blisters appear. The viruses can remain in faeces for several weeks.

Who is at risk?

• The viruses that cause hand, foot and mouth disease are common and particularly affect children.
• Hand foot and mouth disease can spread easily and quickly within households, particularly among children.
• Many adults, including pregnant women, are often exposed to them without symptoms. There is no clear evidence of risk to unborn babies from hand, foot and mouth disease. However, infected mothers (and siblings) can pass the infection onto newborn babies who rarely can have severe disease.
• Outbreaks may occur in child-care settings.

How is it prevented?

Good hygiene is the best protection:

• Wash hands with soap and water and thoroughly dry them after going to the toilet, before eating, after wiping noses, and after changing nappies or soiled clothing.
• Avoid sharing cups, eating utensils, items of personal hygiene (for example: towels, washers and toothbrushes), and clothing (especially shoes and socks).
• Thoroughly wash any soiled clothing and any surfaces or toys that may have been contaminated.
• Teach children about cough and sneeze etiquette:
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue. Coughing into an elbow is better than coughing into your hands.
• Dispose of used tissues in the bin straight away.
• Wash your hands afterwards with soap and water and thoroughly dry them,
• if handwashing facilities are not available use an alcohol based sanitiser or antibacterial wipe to clean hands.
• Keep sick children at home while unwell.

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?

• Usually no treatment is needed. Paracetamol will relieve fever and discomfort. Do not give children aspirin.
• Allow blisters to dry out naturally. The blisters should not be deliberately burst because the fluid within them is infectious.
• Make sure young children are drinking enough, as painful mouth sores can make some children reluctant to swallow liquids.

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:

• persistent fever (38°C or above for 72 hours or more),
• abnormal movements / jerking movements,
• rapid breathing,
• excessive tiredness, drowsiness,
• excessive irritability,
• difficulty walking.

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?

• Children with hand, foot and mouth disease should be excluded from school or childcare facilities until their blisters have dried-up, and any rash (if present) has gone and any fever has settled.
• During this exclusion period they should also avoid activities and places where they will be in contact with others such as swimming lessons and playgrounds/centres, to avoid spreading this very contagious disease.

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 information

For further information please call your local public health unit on 1300 066 055.

Information for health professionals

 See the​Enteroviruses (non-polio) and human parechoviruses fact sheet - Information for clinicians.

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