Hand, foot and mouth symptoms in babies - first signs to look out for

It's nearly , which means parents of young children will almost certainly be experiencing for the next few weeks as their little ones pick up germs from nursery and school.

One of the is . This highly contagious infection spreads rapidly from child to child and can also affect adults. It's characterised by a painful rash around the mouth, on the palms of the hands, and on the soles of the feet, which may become blistered.

HFMD spreads through nose and throat secretions - mucus and saliva - as well as via faeces and the fluid inside the blisters. It can also be contracted by close contact with someone who's infectious, breathing in infected air from a sneeze or cough, touching contaminated surfaces or objects, or coming into contact with infected water, like swimming pools.

Although HFMD is a miserable experience for babies and their carers, it is usually over within seven to 10 days. It can be treated at home with paracetamol, water, milk, and lots of rest.

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Symptoms of hand, foot and mouth in babies

Unfortunately, babies can't tell us what's wrong when they're feeling under the , but HFMD usually starts with a fever—a temperature of 37.5C (99.5F) or over—and general lethargy. Your baby might be grizzly, harder to settle, or less interested in playing like normal.

After a few days, the telltale spots will start to appear around your baby's mouth, on their hands and feet. Some sores may appear inside their mouths, which will make it uncomfortable for them to eat or drink, so if they're on solids, they might lose their appetite for a few days. A rash can then spread across the rest of their body - on their trunk, bum, genitals, arms and legs, and some of the spots will blister and fill with fluid.

It's important not to pop the blisters because this can lead to infection, so take care to pat your baby dry after their bath and use soft fabrics against their delicate skin.

Unfortunately, the virus is most contagious before the rash appears, so it's very difficult to prevent your child from contracting it from others. Once the blisters have scabbed over, little ones can usually go back to childcare or school - depending, of course, on their setting's policies.

Can adults get hand, foot and mouth?

Yes, adults can get HFMD - although it's far more common in children aged under 10 (and especially younger ones aged four and under). For adults, it can be even more painful, although many will experience the illness without ever showing symptoms. That means it's even more important to practise good hand hygiene, including washing your hands before touching your face, before preparing food and after using the toilet. You may pass on HFMD without realising it.

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Symptoms of hand, foot and mouth in adults include a high temperature, lack of appetite, a and feeling lethargic. Spots may start to appear in the back of the mouth, which, over the next few days, will blister and become painful.

Adults may also experience the rash, which appears on palms and soles before spreading to the limbs, stomach, back, and genitals. It can last seven to ten days before gradually fading.

HFMD in adults can usually be treated at home with pain relief, plenty of fluids and rest.

Hand, foot and mouth and pregnancy

While most adults in the UK are already immune to HFMD, pregnant women may need extra monitoring if they are exposed to the HFMD virus within a few weeks of their due date. If you are pregnant and come into contact with an infected person, contact your midwife, as there is a slim chance you could pass on the infection to your newborn.

It's likely they would only experience a mild version of the illness, but it's still helpful for your medical team to be given the heads up.

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