Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) cases grow as viral spread picks up across Philadelphia region

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — There has been an increase in cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease across the Philadelphia region.

The uptick comes as kids, who are most susceptible to the virus, get ready to head back to school.

“‘Tis the season for hand, foot and mouth disease. It tends to pop up at the end of summer and throughout the fall,” said Dr. Robert McClowry, a family medicine specialist at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

Dr. Dan Taylor, a pediatrician at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, said, “In 24 years as a pediatrician here, I really have not seen this many cases of hand, foot and mouth disease in my entire career.”

At practices across the region, doctors are noticing cases of hand, foot and mouth disease are up, just as camp is ending and school is starting.

While common in infants, babies, and toddlers, cases in older kids are growing, says Dr. Taylor.

“A-typical cases occur in older kids, kids older than 5, younger kids get it in the mouth, whereas older kids get it around the mouth and in the arms and legs,” he said.

“It’s unsightly and can be painful at times,” said Dr. Robert McClowry of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. “It often times starts with a low-grade fever and then little blisters start to form inside the mouth on the hands and the feet.”

“Enterovirus is contagious. It can be spread through droplets when people cough or sneeze. The drooling factor definitely makes it more contagious. It’s shed in the stool, so when you have little ones, changing diapers can increase it. So handwashing and hygiene are paramount,” added Dr. McClowry.

Treatment for hand, foot and mouth disease is fever reducers in the correct dosage and a lot of liquids.

Do not send your child back to school or daycare until they are fever-free with no new spots popping up.