Hand, foot, and mouth disease is caused by the enterovirus, which spreads through coughing, sneezing, stool, and blisters. It takes 3 to 6 days after exposure to show symptoms like sore throat, fever, poor appetite, and irritability, as well as sores and blisters in the mouth and on hands and feet. Blisters usually disappear after about a week. To prevent spread, wash hands frequently, keep infected children separate from others, and avoid contact with saliva, blister fluid, feces, or respiratory droplets from infected individuals.

1. Hand, Foot, Mouth Disease
What is HFM Disease?
Hand-foot-and mouth disease is a caused by a
virus called enterovirus.
This virus spreads through coughing,
sneezing, and through infected stool and
blisters.
HFM disease may take 3 to 6 days to show
signs of disease.
Signs and Symptoms
The first symptoms of HFM disease are:
 Sore throat
 High fever
 Poor appetite
 Headache
 Irritability
Other signs that may appear are:
 Sores/blisters in or on the mouth,
hands, and feet. Buttocks may also be
affected.
 Skin rash on palms and soles, diaper
region
Blisters and sores usually disappear a week
after the symptoms first appeared.
In some cases there may be no symptoms
without detecting the presence of the virus.
Prevention
 Wash your hands frequently.
Diapers can contain the virus and
can spread it upon contact.
 Maintain infected children
separate from uninfected ones.
Toys and kisses are especially
dangerous if the child goes to
daycare.
 Avoid any contact with:
o Saliva
o Fluid from blisters
o Feces
o Respiratory droplets
from cough or sneeze
o Direct contact with
infected surface or skin

4. Otitis Media
An infection of the middle ear,
otitis media occurs when fluid
builds up behind the eardrum.
There are three types of
infections:
1. Acute Otitis Media
Most common; the middle ear
is swollen as the eardrum
traps fluid. Fever is
associated with this type of
infection
2. Otitis Media with
Effusion
Normally happens after the
infection is over but the fluid
remains trapped behind the
eardrum. May present no
symptoms
3. Chronic Otitis Media
with Effusion
There is no infection present.
Fluid stays in the middle ear
or keeps returning. Most
dangerous type since it can
affect hearing.
How Do I Know If My Child
Has An Ear Infection?
Does your child:
 Pull at his/her ear(s)?
 Is fussy or constantly crying?
 Have trouble sleeping?
 Have fever?
 Have fluid draining from
his/her ear?
 Have trouble balancing?
 Have trouble responding to
quiet sounds?
If you answered yes to one or
more of these questions, your
child might be suffering from an
infection
Causes
Otitis Media often begins after a
sore throat, cold, or upper
respiratory infection (URI).
For a bacterial URI, the same
bacteria may spread to the
middle ear.
For a viral URI, bacteria may be
attracted to the middle ear and
cause a secondary infection.
How Can You Prevent Your
Child From Getting
Infections?
There is no sure way to prevent
otitis media, but there are ways
to reduce the risk of
contracting the infection:
 Vaccinate your child
against the flu.
 Vaccinate your child with
the 13-valent
pneumococcal conjugate
vaccine (PCV-13)
 Maintain good hand
hygiene. Wash your
child’s hands to prevent
spread of germs
 Avoid exposure to
cigarette smoke
 Don’t expose your child to
sick playmates.