From the Guidelines
Hand, foot, and mouth disease typically lasts about 7-10 days in total. The illness begins with fever, sore throat, and reduced appetite, which usually last for 1-2 days. The characteristic rash and mouth sores then develop and generally persist for 3-7 days before healing. Most people recover completely without medical treatment, as it is a self-limiting viral infection, as noted in the context of enterovirus infections 1. During this time, supportive care is recommended, including over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) to manage fever and pain, plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration (especially cold liquids that soothe mouth sores), and soft foods that don't irritate mouth ulcers. Some key points to consider in the management of hand, foot, and mouth disease include:
- The disease is most contagious during the first week, so infected individuals should avoid close contact with others, particularly pregnant women and young children.
- Enteroviruses, such as EV-A71, have been associated with outbreaks of hand, foot, and mouth disease, occasionally resulting in significant morbidity and mortality 1.
- The immune system naturally clears the virus over time, explaining the self-limiting nature of the disease.
- Certain EV types have been linked to severe disease, including meningoencephalitis, myelitis, paralysis, myocarditis, sepsis-like syndrome, respiratory disease, and acute hepatitis 1.
From the Research
Duration of Hand Foot and Mouth Disease
- The duration of hand foot and mouth disease typically lasts around 7 to 10 days without sequelae 2, 3.
- Symptoms usually resolve on their own within this timeframe, with most cases being benign and self-limiting 3, 4.
- In some cases, the disease can be more severe and have a higher rate of complications, but this is less common 3, 5.
- The disease is usually characterized by a painful oral enanthem and asymptomatic exanthem on the palms and soles, with children younger than 5 years being most commonly affected 3.
Factors Affecting Duration
- The severity of the disease and the presence of complications can affect the duration of hand foot and mouth disease 3, 5.
- The type of virus causing the disease can also impact the duration and severity of symptoms, with enterovirus A71 being associated with more severe cases 3, 5.
- Good personal hygiene and vaccination of susceptible individuals in high-risk areas can help prevent the spread of the disease and reduce its duration 3, 5, 6.