Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common infection caused by a group of enteroviruses.

[10] This is followed a day or two later by flat discolored spots or bumps that may blister, on the hands, feet and mouth and occasionally buttocks and groin.

[17] Common constitutional signs and symptoms of HFMD include fever, nausea, vomiting, feeling tired, generalized discomfort, loss of appetite, and irritability in infants and toddlers.

Skin lesions frequently develop in the form of a rash of flat discolored spots and bumps which may be followed by vesicular sores with blisters on palms of the hands, soles of the feet, buttocks, and sometimes on the lips.

[19] Most cases of the disease are relatively harmless, but complications including encephalitis, meningitis, and paralysis that mimics the neurological symptoms of polio can occur.

[6][12] HFMD is highly contagious and is transmitted by nasopharyngeal secretions such as saliva or nasal mucus, by direct contact, or by fecal–oral transmission.

[8] Childcare settings are the most common places for HFMD to be contracted because of toilet training, diaper changes, and children's propensity to put their hands into their mouths.

[20] HFMD is contracted through nose and throat secretions such as saliva, sputum, and nasal mucus as well as fluid in blisters, and stool.

[19] If the diagnosis is unclear, a throat swab or stool specimen may be taken to identify the virus by culture.

[23] Preventive measures include avoiding direct contact with infected individuals (including keeping infected children home from school), proper cleaning of shared utensils, disinfecting contaminated surfaces, and proper hand hygiene.

[22] Breastfeeding has also been shown to decrease rates of severe HFMD, though does not reduce the risk of the infection of the disease.

Infection in older children, adolescents, and adults is typically mild and lasts approximately 1 week, but may occasionally run a longer course.

[12] Complications from the viral infections that cause HFMD are rare but require immediate medical treatment if present.

[19] Viral or aseptic meningitis can occur with HFMD in rare cases and is characterized by fever, headache, stiff neck, or back pain.

Other serious complications of HFMD include encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), or flaccid paralysis in rare circumstances.

[53][57] An article in The Lancet states that the appearance of the blisters is similar to that seen in Mpox, and the illness is not thought to be related to SARS-CoV-2.