As summer rolls in, there are a few givens: Bruce Springsteen is likely to be spotted at the Jersey Shore, energy bills are going to rise, and many kids will catch hand, foot, and mouth disease.
Currently, doctors are witnessing an uptick in cases of this illness, which tends to be more prevalent during summer and early fall, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“It seems like everyone knows someone who has it,” remarked Katharine Clouser, a pediatrician at Hackensack University Medical Center and president of the New Jersey Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
The U.S. doesn’t keep track of individual cases, so determining an exact count is tricky.
However, a representative from the New Jersey Department of Health pointed out in a message to NJ Advance Media that “we have noticed an increase in the number of HFMD outbreaks from May to July this year, but the reasons are unclear.”
By August 1, there were 127 reported outbreaks of hand, foot and mouth disease statewide, which is over four times the number reported during the same period last year.
This illness is caused by viruses from the enterovirus family, as stated by the CDC.
Among various enteroviruses, coxsackievirus is mostly responsible for hand, foot and mouth disease in the U.S., particularly affecting children under 5 years old, with frequent outbreaks in childcare and preschool settings.
Most adults have built up some immunity to these viruses over time, but that doesn’t completely eliminate the risk of infection.
If someone is exposed, symptoms usually appear within three to five days.
Common symptoms include fever, sore throat, painful, blistering mouth sores, and a rash primarily on the hands and feet. This rash may also appear on knees, elbows, buttocks, or genital areas.
Typically, kids experience mild symptoms and recover on their own in about a week to ten days. Yet, there are rare instances where serious complications can arise.
“Any virus can be serious,” Clouser cautioned.
If parents notice their child refusing liquids, urinating less, and sleeping more than usual, Clouser emphasized that “this would be a reason to seek medical attention.”
Hand, foot and mouth disease is highly contagious and spreads through three main routes:
- By close contact with an infected individual, such as kissing, hugging, or sharing drinks and utensils.
- Through surfaces contaminated with the virus, like doorknobs or toys, followed by touching the face.
- Via respiratory droplets from a person who coughs, sneezes, or talks.
Though it’s rare, the virus can also be contracted from swallowing recreational water in inadequately treated swimming pools.
An infected person is most contagious during the first week of their illness, so it’s recommended to stay away from others during this period. This means children should remain home from childcare or school until the fever subsides and mouth sores have healed.
While having hand, foot and mouth disease can make some feel uneasy, Clouser reminded people that there’s no reason to feel embarrassed.
“It’s just a virus, and the best way to prevent it is to communicate with friends. If Jenny has hand, foot and mouth, just let others know, so they can be cautious,” she advised.
“Honesty goes a long way in preventing the spread,” Clouser added.
Currently, there is no vaccine available in the U.S. to guard against the viruses that cause this illness.
Good hygiene practices, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, and avoiding close contact with others remain the best ways to prevent infection or transmission.
