Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD)
Common in Young Children
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is common in children under 5 years old, but anyone can get it.
The illness is usually not serious, but it is very contagious. It spreads quickly at schools and day care centers.
Transmission
Hand, foot, and mouth disease spreads easily.
Symptoms
Symptoms can include mouth sores, skin rash, and more.
Treatment
Most people can be treated at home.
Not the Same as Foot-and-Mouth Disease
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is often confused with foot-and-mouth disease (also called hoof-and-mouth disease), which affects cows, sheep, and pigs.
Humans do not get the animal disease, and animals do not get the human disease.
Visit the National Agricultural Library of the U.S. Department of Agriculture to learn more about Foot-and-Mouth Diseaseexternal icon.
Page last reviewed: February 2, 2021