Back to School Illnesses – Hand, Foot, and Mouth

School is back in session! And with children packed together at school, contagious diseases are ready and waiting. Hand foot and mouth disease (HFM) is a common childhood virus that is typically seen during the school year, particularly in pre-kindergarten aged children.The disease can cause a fever, sore throat, runny nose, painful mouth blisters, and a rash that shows up all over the body. It can be an extremely uncomfortable illness.  There is no antibiotic to treat the illness.  Medicine for temporary pain and fever relief such as Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen can help.  Also an oral numbing medicine can help with the mouth sores.

We are often asked when can a child with HFM go back to school?  Children are good to go back to school when they no longer have a fever and none of their blisters are open. This can typically take about one week. At the same time, it is up to the discretion of the school if they are okay with a child returning to class.

HFM is spread person to person through various means. It is important to teach your child to cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing, and to wash their hands after going to the bathroom.

Adults are also susceptible to HFM, so if your child is sick, make sure you frequently wash your hands, avoid touching your mouth, and sanitize any dirty surfaces.

If you think your child has HFM, bring them to Little Spurs Pediatric Urgent Care! With eleven locations in Texas, Little Spurs is a walk-in urgent care for children up to the age of 21.