The highly contagious summer illness parents of young kids need to know about

When summer comes around, you can count on a few things. A Bruce Springsteen spotting at the Jersey Shore. Energy bills going up. And lots of kids getting sick with hand, foot, and mouth disease.

Doctors are currently seeing a surge in cases of the disease, which is more common in the summer and early fall, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Everyone feels like they know somebody who has it, one way or the other,” said Katharine Clouser, a pediatrician at Hackensack University Medical Center who also serves as president of the New Jersey Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The United States doesn’t currently track individual cases of the disease, so it’s hard to get an exact case count.

But in a statement sent to NJ Advance Media, a spokeswoman for the New Jersey Department of Health said, “Compared to recent years, for reasons that are not clear, we have seen an increase in the number of HFMD outbreaks from May to July of this year.”

As of Aug. 1, 127 outbreaks of hand, foot and mouth disease have been reported statewide, according to data provided by the state health department. That’s more than quadruple the number of outbreaks reported during the same time period last year.

Hand, foot and mouth disease is caused by viruses that belong to the enterovirus family, according to the CDC.

There are many types of enterovirus, but coxsackievirus is typically the most common cause of hand, foot and mouth disease in the U.S. It mostly causes illness in babies and children under the age of 5, with outbreaks frequently occurring in childcare and preschool settings.

Most adults have already been exposed to many enteroviruses in their lifetime and so they have built up immunity. But, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible for adults to get sick.

“Anyone of any age really can be infected by hand, foot and mouth disease,” said Clouser.

If someone is exposed to the highly contagious illness, symptoms usually develop within three to five days.

Symptoms include fever, sore throat, painful mouth sores that blister, and a skin rash commonly found on the hands and feet. The rash may also appear on the knees, elbows, buttocks or genital areas.

Most kids have mild symptoms and get better on their own in seven to 10 days. However, in rare cases the illness can cause serious complications.

“Any virus can be serious,” said Clouser.

If a parent starts to notice that their kid is refusing liquids, going to the bathroom less, and sleeping more, Clouser said “that would be a reason to seek medical attention.”

Hand, foot and mouth disease is highly contagious and spreads three main ways:

• By touching an infected person or making other close contact, like kissing, hugging, or sharing cups or eating utensils.
• Through touching objects and surfaces with the virus on them, like doorknobs or toys, then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Through respiratory droplets after a sick person coughs, sneezes, or talks.

Although rare, people can also get the virus by swallowing recreational water, like in swimming pools. This can happen if the water is not properly treated with chlorine, according to the CDC.

A sick person is most contagious during the first week of illness and should stay away from others during this time. This means keeping kids out of childcare and school until the fever is gone and mouth sores have healed.

While hand, foot and mouth disease may make people feel self-conscious, Clouser said people shouldn’t feel ashamed.

“It’s nothing to be embarrassed about. It’s just a virus, and the best way to keep them at bay is to talk to your friends. Tell them ‘Jenny’s got hand, foot and mouth. We saw you last weekend, just be on the lookout,’”Clouser said.

“Just make sure you’re being honest with those around you, so we can prevent this spread,” said Clouser.

There is no vaccine in the U.S. to protect against the viruses that cause hand, foot and mouth disease.

The best way to prevent catching or spreading the illness is to practice good hygiene, clean and disinfect surfaces, and avoid close contact with others.