Cases of Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease Increase in Missoula County

MISSOULA - The Missoula community is currently experiencing an increase in cases of Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease (HFMD). HFMD is a common virus in young children that causes mild fever, blisters in the mouth and a rash, usually seen on the palms of hands and the soles of feet. The blisters can be painful and some kids may complain of a sore throat or a stomachache. Usually the infection goes away without any serious complications. HFMD can also occur in adults, but less commonly than in children.

How is it spread? The virus can be spread through the saliva, respiratory secretions such as mucus or stool of an infected person.

How do you prevent or control it?

• Both parents/caregivers and children should wash their hands frequently, especially after coughing, sneezing and diaper changing or using the bathroom.

• Use a tissue to cover your mouth if you sneeze or cough and dispose of the tissue right away.

• Follow a strict cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting routine. Don’t forget doorknobs, light switches, hand rails and any other hard surfaces that are frequently touched.

Does a child with HFMD have to stay home from child care? No, unless they have a fever and/or meet other criteria in your child care’s sick exclusion policy. They can return to child care when they have been without a fever for 24 hours (without medication) and feel well enough to participate.

Keeping a child infected with HFMD home from child care may not prevent the spread of the virus. This is because of the following three reasons:

1. The virus may live in the infected child’s respiratory secretions for up to three weeks and in their stool for months. It is not reasonable to keep this child home for that length of time because of a mild virus.

2. An infected child is usually contagious a couple days before they showed any signs/symptoms of being sick. The virus has most likely already spread.

3. Some kids with HFMD never become recognizably ill but they can still be contagious.

For more information see the Center for Disease Control website about Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease: http://www.cdc.gov/hand-foot-mouth/index.html or call the Missoula City-County Health Department, Infectious Disease Office at 406-258-3896

 

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