Where does hand, foot and mouth disease come from?

The virus enters the body through the mouth, nose or eyes after contact with contaminated hands or droplets. It may also spread when someone touches fluid from a blister or tiny amounts of stool and then touches another person or a shared object. Children in nurseries and households often have frequent close contact, which makes these routes easier. The illness is not caused by poor parenting or by eating a particular food.

Wash hands with soap and water after toileting, changing nappies and cleaning a child. Clean toys, taps, handles and other shared surfaces regularly. Avoid sharing drinks, cutlery, towels or toothbrushes, and wash laundry soiled with saliva or stool. Keep blisters clean and avoid picking them. Offer frequent fluids and cool foods if mouth ulcers make swallowing uncomfortable.

Seek medical advice if a child is drinking poorly, passing very little urine, unusually drowsy, struggling to breathe, or has a [fever](/symptoms/fever/) that is worrying or worsening. An examination is also sensible when symptoms do not fit the usual pattern, the child has a weakened immune system, or a baby is affected. A [Child Health Consultation](/treatments/consultations-and-assessment/child-health-consultation/) can review symptoms and hydration.

Ask which symptoms support this diagnosis, how to clean shared items, and when the child can return to group activities. Bring details of contact with an unwell person, the onset of fever, mouth changes, rash and drinking.