What is the medical name for hand, foot and mouth disease?

The name refers to the areas where a rash or small blisters may appear: the hands, feet and mouth. A child may also have a sore throat, reduced appetite, or fever. The illness is different from foot-and-mouth disease, which affects farm animals. Symptoms can vary, and not every child develops spots in all three areas.

HFMD can spread through close contact, coughs and sneezes, or contact with fluid from blisters and contaminated surfaces. A clinician can consider the pattern of symptoms and examine the child when the diagnosis is uncertain.

Offer frequent sips of cool fluid and soft foods if mouth sores make eating uncomfortable. Rest, handwashing, and not sharing cups, towels, or cutlery can reduce spread at home. Keep blisters clean and avoid picking them. Ask a pharmacist or clinician which fever or pain medicine is suitable for the child and how to give it safely.

A child should stay home from nursery or school while unwell and follow the setting's return guidance. A [Child Health Consultation](/treatments/consultations-and-assessment/child-health-consultation/) can help if symptoms are difficult to manage or the diagnosis is unclear.

Seek prompt medical advice if the child is drinking very little, passing much less urine, has a dry mouth, becomes unusually sleepy, or cannot swallow fluids. These can signal dehydration. Arrange urgent assessment for breathing difficulty, a seizure, severe headache with a stiff neck, or a child who is difficult to wake. Contact a clinician if fever persists, symptoms worsen, or the child has another condition that affects immunity.

Fever may accompany HFMD; see the [Fever](/symptoms/fever/) guide for practical monitoring advice.

You could ask: Does the rash and mouth soreness fit HFMD? How can I help my child drink more? Which symptoms would mean dehydration? When can my child return to nursery or school? Should siblings or other household contacts take any precautions?