Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease in Adults: Images, Symptoms, and Prevention
Key takeaways:
Children younger than 10 years old are most likely to get hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD). But adults can get it, too.
Common symptoms of HFMD include rash, mouth ulcers, sore throat, and muscle aches.
Treatment for HFMD includes drinking plenty of fluids, taking over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, and resting.
Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a contagious illness that can cause fever, a painful sore throat, and a rash. It can affect people of all ages. Here’s what to know about how HFMD can affect adults.
What is hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD)?
HFMD is a common illness that usually affects babies and children. But adults can get it too. Older adults and those who are pregnant or have a weakened immune system are more likely to come down with the illness.
HFMD causes uncomfortable symptoms like mouth sores, rash, and muscle aches. People can also develop more serious complications.
What causes hand, foot, and mouth disease?
Coxsackieviruses and enteroviruses cause HFMD. These viruses are very contagious and pass easily from person to person. Despite common belief, coxsackieviruses can affect some adults.
There are many strains of coxsackieviruses and enteroviruses. For many years, coxsackievirus A16 was the most common cause of HFMD in the U.S.
These viruses are most active in the summer and fall. So, most outbreaks of HFMD tend to happen during summer months and the back-to-school season. But you can get HFMD during any time of the year.
Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is very contagious. Here’s how long you should stay home from work or school so you don’t spread the virus to others.
HFMD can lead to dehydration. Here’s our guide to the best drinks to keep you hydrated.
A sore throat from HFMD can make it difficult to eat. Take a look at our roundup of the best and worst foods to eat when you have a sore throat.
Can adults get hand, foot, and mouth disease?
Yes, adults can develop HFMD. But they tend to get it less often than children and usually have milder symptoms.
Children younger than 10 are more likely to develop HFMD. This is because they haven’t been exposed to coxsackieviruses and enteroviruses before. Once exposed, children build immunity against these viruses. This immunity lasts for years, which is why adults are much less likely to get sick with HFMD.
But new strains of these viruses pop up from time to time, like coxsackievirus A6. The immune system isn’t able to fight off new strains as quickly. This is why coxsackievirus A6 is more likely to cause HFMD in adults. People who come down with coxsackievirus A6 usually develop more severe HFMD symptoms.
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It’s also important to note that as people age, their immune system changes. So, they’re more likely to have more severe symptoms when exposed to these viruses. People who are pregnant or have a weakened immune system are also at higher risk for more serious symptoms from coxsackievirus and enterovirus infections.
What are the symptoms of adult hand, foot, and mouth disease in adults?
Symptoms of HFMD are usually the same in adults as they are in children.
People with HFMD typically develop oral ulcers and a rash on their hands and feet. That’s where the name HFMD comes from.
The most common symptoms of HFMD include:
Small, painful mouth ulcers that look like canker sores
Red, sore throat
Ulcers in the back of the throat
Muscle aches
Bumps on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, fingers, and toes
These symptoms last between 7 and 10 days and get better on their own. Not everyone with HFMD develops all these symptoms. But most adults do report muscle aches and pains.
Sometimes, people who’ve had HFMD develop nail shedding or skin peeling on their fingertips and toes. These symptoms develop several weeks after people get sick. While this sounds scary, the shedding and peeling aren’t painful. And the skin and nails grow back normally.
What does hand, foot, and mouth disease look like in adults?
HFMD appears as a red rash on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, or around the mouth and chin. The rash may change day by day.
In the early stages, an HFMD rash will look like small pink dots. After a couple of days, the dots will turn into red raised bumps that can be filled with fluid. In the final stages, blisters and bumps may peel and lighten in color.
How do you treat hand, foot, and mouth disease?
There’s no cure for HFMD. People get better on their own within 7 to 10 days.
But there are things you can do to stay comfortable while you wait for your symptoms to go away.
Drink plenty of fluids
Mouth pain and sore throats make it hard to eat and drink, which can lead to dehydration. It’s important to drink plenty of fluids while you’re feeling sick. Try cold liquids and popsicles, which can also help relieve throat pain.
Treat pain with over-the-counter medications
Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin) can reduce muscle aches and pains. They may also help with throat and mouth pain.
Try home remedies for sore throat
Self-care or home remedies for sore throat can also help. Saltwater gargles, lozenges, and throat sprays are popular options that combat sore throat from other viruses. They will help with HFMD-related pain, too.
Eat soothing foods
Stick with foods that will soothe a sore throat until you feel better. Opt for soft foods and skip anything too hot, spicy, or sour. These foods can irritate mouth sores and make you feel worse.
How can you avoid getting hand, foot, and mouth disease?
HFMD is very contagious. If a child in your home or someone in your workplace has it, here’s what you can do to keep from picking it up.
Wash your hands
Hand washing is key to stopping the spread of coxsackieviruses and enteroviruses. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water throughout the day. Always wash your hands before and after caring for someone with HFMD. If you can’t use soap and water, use an alcohol-based sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Clean commonly touched surfaces
Coxsackieviruses and enteroviruses can live on surfaces. It’s a good idea to clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces a few times a day. Prioritize toilets, changing tables, and faucet handles. Opt for bleach-based cleaners or disinfectant wipes.
Keep your distance
Coxsackieviruses and enteroviruses can pass through the air, though this isn’t common. It’s a good idea to avoid kissing and coming into close contact with people who are sick whenever possible. Also, avoid sharing cups, utensils, toothbrushes, and personal items with people who are sick.
Frequently asked questions
People are most contagious during the first week of their illness with HFMD. Most people can go back to their regular routines once they’re fever free for 24 hours and their blisters scab over.
The first stage of HFMD includes fever, sore throat, and other flu-like symptoms. After a few days, the rash and mouth ulcers start to appear. The rash can take a few days to fully develop in this second stage. During the third stage, the rash slowly heals and other symptoms go away. It takes about 10 days to go through these 3 stages.
Most people recover easily when they have a coxsackievirus or enterovirus infection. But it’s possible to develop more serious illnesses or complications. Adults with HFMD can develop brain infections like encephalitis and meningitis. They can also develop myocarditis, which is an inflammation of the heart muscles. These complications are very rare.
The bottom line
HFMD causes mouth sores, sore throat, skin bumps, and muscle aches. It’s caused by coxsackieviruses and enteroviruses. Adults can get HFMD, but it’s uncommon. When adults do develop HFMD, they’re more likely to experience muscle aches and pains. Symptoms usually go away on their own in 7 to 10 days. OTC pain relievers and self-care options can keep you comfortable until your symptoms resolve.
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Images used with permission from VisualDx (www.visualdx.com).
References
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). About handwashing.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). HFMD: Causes and How It Spreads.
Cordeiro e Chunha, J., et al. (2020). Exuberant hand-foot-mouth disease: An immunocompetent adult with atypical findings. European Journal of Case Reports in Internal Medicine.
Freund, M. W., et al. (2010). Prognosis for neonates with enterovirus myocarditis. ADC Fetal and Neonatal.
National Health Service. (2024). Hand, foot and mouth disease.
Shea, Y. F., et al. (2013). Hand, foot and mouth disease in an immunocompetent adult due to coxsackievirus A6. Hong Kong Medical Journal.
Tariq, N., et al. (2023). Group B coxsackie virus. StatPearls.
Valestra, P. K., et al. (2016). Coxsackie B5 infection in an adult with fever, truncal rash, diarrhea and splenomegaly with highly elevated ferritin levels. IDCases.
Yee, E. (2023). Hand, foot & mouth Disease: CDC yellow book 2024. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
