Health and Counseling Services
Information on Hand, Foot, Mouth Outbreak
The HCC has encountered a cluster of students infected with the coxsackie virus, which causes hand, foot, and, mouth disease. Hand, foot, and mouth disease is generally a mild, but highly contagious, viral infection common in young children. It can sometimes occur in adult populations.
Hand, foot, and mouth disease (FAQs here)
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is not the same as foot-and-mouth disease (sometimes called hoof-and-mouth disease) or mad cow disease.
Signs and symptoms
Hand, foot, and mouth disease usually starts with a fever, poor appetite, a vague feeling of being unwell (malaise), and sore throat. One or 2 days after the fever starts, painful sores (herpangina) usually develop in the mouth. The sores begin as small red spots that blister and often become ulcers. The sores are often in the back of the mouth. A skin rash then develops over 1 to 2 days. The rash has flat or raised red spots, sometimes with blisters. The rash is usually on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet; it may also appear on the knees, elbows, buttocks, or genital area. The distribution and severity of rash or blisters varies greatly. Some individuals may have only 1 or 2 blisters; not all individuals will have blisters in hands, feet, and mouth.
Transmission
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is spread from person to person by direct contact with the infectious viruses that cause this disease. These viruses are found in nose and throat secretions (such as saliva, sputum, or nasal mucus), fluid in blisters, and stool of infected persons. The viruses may be spread when infected persons touch objects and surfaces that are then touched by others.
Infected persons are most contagious during the first week of the illness. The viruses that cause hand, foot, and mouth disease can remain in the body for weeks after a person’s symptoms have gone away. This means that infected people can still pass the infection to others even though they may appear well. Also, some people who are infected and shedding the virus, including most adults, may have no symptoms.
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is not transmitted to or from pets or other animals.
Prevention
A person can lower their risk of being infected by
- Washing hands often with soap and water, especially after using the toilet and changing diapers. Visit CDC’s Clean Hands Save Lives! for more information.
- Disinfecting dirty surfaces and soiled items. Wash items with soap and water, then disinfect them with a solution of chlorine bleach (made by mixing 1 tablespoon of bleach with 4 cups of water).
- Avoiding close contact such as kissing, hugging, or sharing eating utensils or cups with people with hand, foot, and mouth disease.
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for hand, foot, and mouth disease. However, some things can be done to relieve symptoms, such as
- taking over-the-counter medications to relieve pain and fever (aspirin should not be given to children);
- using mouthwashes or sprays that numb mouth pain;
- consuming soothing cold foods and fluids.
If a person has mouth sores, it might be painful to swallow. However, drinking liquids is important to stay hydrated. If a person cannot swallow enough liquids, s/he may need to be given fluids through an IV.
Seek medical attention if you have
- fever for more than 3 days;
- decreased urination;
- inability to swallow enough fluids to remain hydrated;
- stiff neck;
- changed or new rash;
- severe headache or stomach ache;
- chronic medical conditions or take medications that affect your immune system.
If you are a student and have questions, call the HCC at 503/788-6690. After hours and on weekends, call nurse advice line at 800/607-5501.
If you have questions, call your health care provider.
You may also want to access the following websites for more information, including pictures of signs and symptoms:
www.medicinenet.com/hand-foot-and-mouth_syndrome/article.htm
www.cdc.gov/hand-foot-mouth/index.html
Recommendations for classes and work
The CDC recommends that those who are contagious should minimize contact with others. Most importantly, hand and surface hygiene is crucial to limit the spread of this virus. You need not necessarily avoid classes or work, but if you are around others, please do take precautions to minimize unnecessary contact.