Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD)

Children sitting on classroom floor playing with blocks.
Common in Young Children

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is common in children under 5 years old, but anyone can get it.

The illness is usually not serious, but it is very contagious. It can spread quickly at schools and day care centers.

How HFMD Spreads
Children playing at daycare.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease spreads easily.

Symptoms
Mother holds child's foot and shows rash

Symptoms can include fever, mouth sores, skin rash, and more.

Treatment
Mother comforts child after taking his temperature

Most people can be treated at home.

Not the Same as Foot-and-Mouth Disease

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is often confused with foot-and-mouth disease (also called hoof-and-mouth disease), which affects cows, sheep, goats, and pigs.

Humans do not get the animal disease, and animals do not get the human disease.

Visit the National Agricultural Library of the U.S. Department of Agriculture to learn more about Foot-and-Mouth Disease.