Hand, foot and mouth disease - how many times kids can get it and when they can go back to school

Hand, foot and mouth disease is a common childhood illness that can also affect adults. The illness is very contagious, with most cases requiring between seven and ten days to recover.

The illness is different from the foot and mouth disease which affects farm animals. Symptoms typically come in two stages, beginning with a sore throat, high temperature and low appetite, before progressing to ulcers and rashes.

With kids just starting back at school, parents may be wondering how the illness can affect their youngsters and how long they would need to stay off of school if infected.

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How often can you catch hand, foot and mouth disease?

Unlike some other illnesses where you can only catch them once, you can catch hand, foot and mouth disease more than once. The illness can be spread a few days before you get symptoms, although it's most likely in the first five days after these start.

To limit the spread of the illness the NHS recommends washing hands well, using tissues and binning these quickly, not sharing towels or crockery and washing bedding and clothing on a hot wash.

When can kids go back to school?

Children should remain home from school and nursery while they’re feeling too unwell to go. As soon as they’re feeling better, they can go back, with no need to wait until blisters have all healed, says NHS England.

This is because keeping your child home any longer then this is unlikely to stop the illness from spreading to others.

How should I treat myself?

It normally takes between seven and ten days to get better from hand, foot and mouth disease. To help ease symptoms you can drink cool fluids to soothe the mouth and prevent dehydration, while avoiding acidic drinks such as fruit juice.

The NHS also suggests eating soft foods like yoghurt and avoiding hot, salty and spicy foods. Taking ibuprofen and paracetamol can also help ease a sore mouth and throat.

Pharmacists can also help by giving advice on treatments, such as ulcer sprays, and mouthwashes and sprays.

What are the symptoms?

The first symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease include:

• A sore throat

• High temperature

• Not wanting to eat

The second stage of symptoms include:

• Mouth ulcers

• A raise rash of spots on the hands and feet, and sometimes the groin area and bottom

Got a story? Please get in touch at katherine.gray@reachplc.com

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