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Is Hand-foot-and-mouth Disease Contagious?
Question: I have a question about hand foot and mouth disease.
One of my friend's sons had the disease last week, but has been fever free for 9 days and has been feeling well for the past 7 days. His feet dont have active blisters anymore but are still peeling.
My friend never contracted the disease.
She was around my son today. (her son wasnt but she was)
Could she still potentially spread the disease to my son through coughing and sneezing even though she wasnt sick herself?
One of my friend's sons had the disease last week, but has been fever free for 9 days and has been feeling well for the past 7 days. His feet dont have active blisters anymore but are still peeling.
My friend never contracted the disease.
She was around my son today. (her son wasnt but she was)
Could she still potentially spread the disease to my son through coughing and sneezing even though she wasnt sick herself?
Brief Answer:
Yes..she can... Not only that it can even sprad by fomites
Detailed Answer:
Hi...the possibility that she can spread the virus exits.
Not only that itvcanbeven spread by fomites.
Don't worry...it's onkt a self limiting viral illness.
Regards - Dr. Sumanth
Yes..she can... Not only that it can even sprad by fomites
Detailed Answer:
Hi...the possibility that she can spread the virus exits.
Not only that itvcanbeven spread by fomites.
Don't worry...it's onkt a self limiting viral illness.
Regards - Dr. Sumanth
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
My son is only 16 months old and has only been sick twice. Ive read thag HFMD can leaf to encephalitis, PE, and meningitis and can be fatal. I know this is rare but im still very worried about it. If her son has been well for a week (but his feet are still peeling), is she still at risk for spreading it? Or is the risk lower since he has been well for a week?
Brief Answer:
The risk is low..but theoretically exists - complications are rare
Detailed Answer:
Hi...I agree with you in everything..
1. The complications are extremely rare.
2. The risk is definitely low but theoretically it does exist...that is why I couldn't refute.
3. The risk is low.
Regards - Dr. Sumanth
The risk is low..but theoretically exists - complications are rare
Detailed Answer:
Hi...I agree with you in everything..
1. The complications are extremely rare.
2. The risk is definitely low but theoretically it does exist...that is why I couldn't refute.
3. The risk is low.
Regards - Dr. Sumanth
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I have one final question -- can EV71 (the most likely cause of HFMD that can lead to complications) also be spread through coughing? Or is it mainly spread through the fecal oral route?
Brief Answer:
It can spread by cough and respiratory droplet infection
Detailed Answer:
Hi....Oral ingestion is the main source of coxsackievirus infection and hand-foot-and-mouth disease. The illness spreads by person-to-person contact with an infected person's: nasal secretions or throat discharge, saliva, fluid from blisters, stool, respiratory droplets sprayed into the air after a cough or sneeze.
Although the affected child is most contagious with hand-foot-and-mouth disease during the first week of the illness, the virus can remain in the body for weeks after the signs and symptoms are gone. That means the child still can infect others.
Some people, particularly adults, can pass the virus without showing any signs or symptoms of the disease.
Regards - Dr. Sumanth
It can spread by cough and respiratory droplet infection
Detailed Answer:
Hi....Oral ingestion is the main source of coxsackievirus infection and hand-foot-and-mouth disease. The illness spreads by person-to-person contact with an infected person's: nasal secretions or throat discharge, saliva, fluid from blisters, stool, respiratory droplets sprayed into the air after a cough or sneeze.
Although the affected child is most contagious with hand-foot-and-mouth disease during the first week of the illness, the virus can remain in the body for weeks after the signs and symptoms are gone. That means the child still can infect others.
Some people, particularly adults, can pass the virus without showing any signs or symptoms of the disease.
Regards - Dr. Sumanth
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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