The best indication that you have HFMD are itchy red spots appearing on (shocker) your hands, feet, and mouth. Though the symptoms of the virus are usually mild, there can be serious side effects, especially for those people with weakened immune systems.
In some rare cases, HFMD can even lead to serious brain infections like meningitis and encephalitis. More commonly, kids who don’t shake the symptoms for a few weeks may lose some of their fingernails or toenails.
Once you notice the dots on your child or yourself, go to the doctor immediately. They may not be able to miraculously heal you right away, however. They’ll most likely tell you to quarantine whoever is ill until the virus has worked its way out of your system, so you don’t infect someone in your community.
According to the CDC, outbreaks of HFMD are not common in the USA, but that might be changing this year after a large outbreak swept through Georgia. The wider South Eastern US may also be affect, and the disease could even spread to other regions of the country.
If you happen to live in an area affected by this year’s HFMD outbreak, it’s important to be extremely vigilant about hygiene practices. Make sure everyone in your family is washing their hands after leaving the bathroom, and before touching any food. And if you suspect HFMD, make sure to keep your kids home from school until they have been cleared by a doctor.
