Find out how long HFMD is contagious and when it’s safe to return to normal activities. Visit our urgent care clinic near you—open daily with walk-ins welcome!

Across Tennessee, parks such as those in Knoxville’s Ijams Nature Center and Nashville’s Centennial Park provide great playgrounds for children. To prevent hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), maintain good hygiene practices like frequent handwashing after park visits.

If someone in your family has been diagnosed with hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), you’re probably wondering how long they’ll be contagious and when it’s safe to return to normal activities. HFMD is a highly contagious viral illness that’s especially common in young children, but it can also affect adults.

In this post, we’ll break down how long HFMD is contagious, how it spreads, and what you can do to prevent transmitting the virus to others.

Visit any East Tennessee AFC urgent care location today.

HFMD Is Contagious for About a Week

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is most contagious during the first few days of the illness, especially when the infected individual has a fever. However, the virus can remain in the body and continue to be contagious for several days, even after symptoms begin to improve.

On average, HFMD is contagious for about 7 to 10 days. Here’s a breakdown of the different stages of contagiousness:

• During the Fever: HFMD is most contagious during the first few days when the fever is present. This is when the virus is most easily spread through respiratory droplets, such as coughing or sneezing, and contact with saliva or mucus.
• After the Fever Subsides: Once the fever is gone, the person may still have mouth sores or a rash, but the level of contagiousness decreases. However, the virus can still be spread through direct contact with blisters or bodily fluids.
• Through Stool: Even after visible symptoms have disappeared, the virus can remain in the stool for several weeks. This means that proper hygiene, especially handwashing after using the bathroom or changing diapers, is crucial to preventing the spread of the virus.

Although HFMD is most contagious during the early stages, it’s possible to spread the virus for weeks after the initial infection, particularly if proper hygiene practices are not followed.

How Does HFMD Spread?

HFMD spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids from an infected person, including:

• Saliva: The virus can spread through saliva, making kissing or sharing utensils, cups, or food a potential way to contract HFMD.
• Mucus and Respiratory Droplets: Coughing, sneezing, or close contact with someone who has HFMD can spread the virus through respiratory droplets.
• Blisters: The fluid inside the blisters caused by HFMD contains the virus, so touching these blisters or touching contaminated surfaces can spread the illness.
• Stool: As mentioned earlier, the virus can remain in the stool for several weeks after symptoms have disappeared, so it’s essential to wash hands thoroughly after using the bathroom or changing diapers.

It’s also worth noting that HFMD can spread before symptoms even appear, which makes it difficult to prevent the virus from spreading in group settings like daycares or schools.

How Can the Spread of HFMD Be Prevented?

If someone in your household has HFMD, there are several steps you can take to prevent the virus from spreading to others:

• Isolate the Infected Individual: Keep the person with HFMD away from others as much as possible, especially during the first few days when the fever is present.
• Wash Hands Frequently: Make sure everyone in the household washes their hands often, especially after using the bathroom, changing diapers, or coming into contact with an infected person.
• Disinfect Surfaces: Regularly disinfect high-touch surfaces, such as doorknobs, toys, and countertops, to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.
• Avoid Sharing Personal Items: Do not share cups, utensils, towels, or bedding with someone who has HFMD.

By following these steps, you can reduce the likelihood of the virus spreading within your household or community.

When Is It Safe to Return to School or Work?

It’s important to keep your child home from daycare or school if they have HFMD, as this is when the virus is most contagious. Most healthcare providers recommend waiting until:

• The fever has subsided for at least 24 hours.
• The blisters have dried up and are no longer actively spreading fluid.
• The child is feeling well enough to participate in normal activities.
• For adults, it’s also advisable to stay home from work until symptoms have improved, especially if your job involves close contact with others.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is highly contagious, particularly during the first few days of the illness when a fever is present. However, the virus can continue to be spread for several weeks, even after visible symptoms have disappeared. By practicing good hygiene and isolating infected individuals, you can help prevent the spread of HFMD to others. If you or your child has HFMD, be sure to stay home from school or work until symptoms have improved to avoid spreading the virus further.

If your symptoms worsen or seem to not be improving, visit an AFC Urgent Care clinic near you in East Tennessee for prompt care and effective treatment today.