ODESSA/MIDLAND, Texas (KOSA) – As temperatures begin to drop, most people turn their attention to cold and flu season, but it’s not the only illness on the rise this time of year. Doctors are also seeing an increase in other viral infections, including Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease, or HFM.
The illness is typically seen in children under five years old, but health experts say they’ve recently started noticing more cases in older kids and even adults.
What Is Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease?
HFM affects exactly what it sounds like: the hands, feet, and mouth. It spreads easily through touching contaminated surfaces or contact with others.
It often starts with a fever and can cause a rash or blisters in the mouth, on the hands and feet, and sometimes even in the diaper area of the infected child.
Dr. Manisha Desai, Pediatric Specialist in Odessa, says the age range of patients has shifted in recent years.
“With the changing trend after COVID, we’ve been seeing a lot of older kids, more than 5 years of age, getting that illness.”
When and How It Spreads
Once exposed, the incubation period is typically three to seven days, and symptoms can last up to ten days.
Dr. Desai says the virus used to appear mostly between May and October, but that pattern has changed since the pandemic. She explains that with the loss of herd immunity during COVID, these viruses now appear at unseasonal times and can be contracted any time of year.
Prevention Starts with Good Hygiene
Eva Rodriguez, Vice President of Student Health and Wellness at IDEA Public Schools, says the best prevention starts with handwashing and sanitation.
“The best practice really is warm soap and water for at least 20 seconds or about as long as it takes to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ twice. Additionally, sanitizing, cleaning, and wiping down high-touch areas and high-touch toys, doorknobs, and even common spaces is a really good practice for people to keep at the home, at the workplace, or in a school setting.”
Rodriguez recommends keeping children home until they’ve been fever-free for at least 24 hours without medication.
Treating Symptoms and Staying Hydrated
Dr. Desai says that while HFM can look alarming, it usually runs its course without antibiotics.
“You want to treat the pain with Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen. You should also give cold liquids and provide a soft diet. Make sure the child is staying home and resting.”
She adds that not all symptoms are visible — parents should look for behavioral changes such as irritability, fatigue, or decreased appetite, as those could signal discomfort or dehydration.
A Common but Manageable Illness
Rodriguez reminds parents not to panic if their child gets sick.
“While hand, foot, and mouth disease can be really, really scary, especially for younger parents of younger kiddos, it is extremely common and extremely treatable.”
Doctors say the best approach is good hygiene, hydration, rest, and early recognition of symptoms. While uncomfortable, the illness is typically mild and short-lived, and with proper care, most children recover fully within a week to ten days.
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