Hand foot mouth disease is an acute viral infection that is contagious and affects young children and infants. It is caused by the Coxsackievirus, a type of enterovirus, and is spread easily through close contact with an infected person. The main symptoms of hand foot mouth disease are a fever, sore throat, and painful blisters or ulcers on the hands, feet, and inside the mouth.
The virus that causes hand foot mouth disease can remain contagious for up to 7 days after the symptoms begin to appear. This means that the infected person can spread the virus to others during this time. It is also possible for the virus to remain contagious up to 10 days after the initial infection.
Infected individuals should take steps to reduce the risk of spreading the virus to others. This includes washing hands frequently, avoiding contact with those who are not vaccinated, and not sharing drinks, food, or utensils. People should also pay close attention to their hygiene and clean and disinfect any surfaces that may have been contaminated with the virus.
It is important to note that the virus can remain contagious even after the symptoms have subsided. This means that even after the blisters, ulcers, and fever have gone away, the virus can still be spread to others.
In conclusion, hand foot mouth disease is highly contagious and can be spread to others for up to 7 to 10 days after the initial infection. It is important to take steps to reduce the risk of spreading the virus to others, such as washing hands frequently and avoiding contact with those who are not vaccinated.