Reno County Health Department Shares Information About Increase in Hand, Foot and Mouth

Hand, foot, and mouth (HFM) is a contagious illness that is typically seen in young children but can infect anyone.  HFM typically starts with fever and then a rash develops on the hands, feet, and mouth with symptoms lasting about 7 to 10 days. While HFM is not a reportable disease, we have heard from doctor’s offices, schools, and the public about an increase in cases here in Reno County.

HFM is spread through respiratory droplets from when someone coughs, sneezes, or talks and fluid from blisters.  To prevent the spread or catching HFM make sure to wash your hands often, avoid touching your face with unwashed hands, clean and disinfect frequently touched and shared items, and avoid close contact with infected individuals.  

Though kids are not required to be excluded from school and daycare, we encourage kids to stay home while sick until they feel better.  This also applies for any illness especially as we enter respiratory season, if you or your child is ill, please stay home until you are feeling better as no one wants to be sick.

There are no exclusion criteria for HFM as it is common and complications from HFM are rare, however the rash and sores can be uncomfortable.  We are more concerned about illnesses like varicella (chickenpox) and measles which have much higher complication rates, which is why they have exclusion criteria.

If you have any questions, contact your healthcare provider, or the Epidemiology Department at the Reno County Health Department at 620-694-2900.  Thank you for helping prevent the spread of HFM.

For more resources, visit the CDC HFM website at https://www.cdc.gov/hand-foot-mouth/about/index.html