Hand, foot and mouth disease when pregnant

This viral illness commonly causes a sore throat, fever, mouth ulcers and spots or blisters on the hands and feet. Contact with an infected child, respiratory secretions, blister fluid or stool can expose you. An exposure does not confirm infection. Pregnancy can make fever, reduced intake and dehydration more important to assess, while the effect on pregnancy depends on your symptoms, timing and overall health.

Tell your obstetric or primary-care team about the contact, especially if you develop a [fever](/symptoms/fever/) or feel unwell. Wash hands thoroughly after nappies or toileting, do not share cups or cutlery, and avoid touching your mouth, eyes or nose with unwashed hands. Rest, drink regularly and choose cool, soft foods if mouth sores hurt. Do not start medicines, including over-the-counter products, without checking that they are appropriate in pregnancy.

Contact your maternity team promptly for a persistent or concerning fever, inability to keep fluids down, reduced urination, severe headache, marked weakness, breathing trouble, or abdominal pain. Seek urgent help for heavy bleeding, regular painful contractions, reduced fetal movements after you have begun noticing them, or any emergency symptom. A clinician can distinguish this illness from other causes of fever and advise on monitoring.

Ask whether you need an examination or testing, which fever and pain measures are suitable for your stage of pregnancy, and whether anyone at home needs extra precautions. Share your gestational stage, exposure date, symptoms, temperature and fluid intake.