Note: HFMD is different from foot-and-mouth (FMD) disease of cattle, sheep, and swine which is highly transmissible in animals, but is not of public health significance because humans rarely contract the disease and it causes few or mild symptoms when it occurs in humans.
Symptoms:
Symptoms to look for in your child are fever, sores in the mouth, and a rash with blisters. HFMD begins with a mild fever, poor appetite, malaise ("feeling sick"), and frequently a sore throat. 1 or 2 days after the fever begins, sores develop in the mouth. They begin as small red spots that blister and then often become ulcers. They are usually located on the tongue, gums, and inside of the cheeks. The skin rash develops over 1 to 2 days with flat or raised red spots, some with blisters. The rash does not itch, and is usually located on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. It may also appear on the buttocks. A person with HFMD may only have the rash or mouth ulcers.
Actions:
If a child contracts the HFMD infection, symptomatic treatment is given to provide relief from fever, aches, or pain from the mouth ulcers. Preventative measures include frequent handwashing and disinfection of contaminated surfaces. A child with HFMD should be excluded from daycare during the first few days of the illness.
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Find more information about Hand, Foot, and Mouth at the Centers for Disease Control at http://www.cdc.gov/health/