Key takeaways:
Adults can get hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD).
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 caused by coxsackieviruses and enteroviruses. It’s a contagious illness that can cause fever, painful mouth ulcers, and a rash. It commonly affects babies and children. But adults can get it too. Here’s what to know about HFMD in adults.
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 are more likely to develop HFMD 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 can emerge over time, which can cause illness in adults. For example, coxsackievirus A6 is a newer strain that causes HFMD. It’s a common cause of HFMD in adults. Adults who come down with HFMD from coxsackievirus A6 can develop severe symptoms, especially if they’re pregnant or have a weakened immune system.
What are the symptoms of adult hand, foot, and mouth disease in adults?
Adults and children with HFMD typically develop oral ulcers and a rash on their hands and feet.
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.
Most symptoms of HFMD are mild. But infections with coxsackievirus A6 may cause more severe symptoms like:
Larger, more painful bumps that cover more of the body
Inability to eat or drink due to mouth blisters
High fever
Joint pain
Fatigue
Vomiting and diarrhea
This infection may also cause serious complications like:
Difficulty breathing and cough
Heart damage
Brain inflammation
These complications are rare. But people who are pregnant or have a weakened immune system are at higher risk for developing severe infections.
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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. The immune system will fight off the infection on its own. This takes about 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 to combat sore throat from other viruses. They’ll help with HFMD-related pain too.
Eat soothing foods
Stick with foods that’ll 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 the following with people who are sick:
Cups
Utensils
Toothbrushes
Personal items
Frequently asked questions
People are most contagious during the first week of their illness with hand, foot, and mouth disease (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.
People are most contagious during the first week of their illness with hand, foot, and mouth disease (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
Hand, foot, and mouth disease (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 not common. 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. Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers and self-care options can keep you comfortable until your symptoms resolve.
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References
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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.
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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.
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