hand, foot and mouth disease
by catherine alderstein·
exclusion period
exclude until all blisters have dried
symptoms
- •small blisters on hands, feet, and inside the mouth
- •sore throat
- •mild fever
- •loss of appetite
- •tiredness
- •ulcers on tongue or gums
when can your child return to childcare?
the child can return once all blisters have dried and the child is feeling well. there is no need to wait for blisters to completely disappear — just dried.
do siblings or contacts need to stay home?
contacts are not excluded
treatment notes for parents
there is no specific treatment. give paracetamol for pain or fever (not aspirin). offer cold foods and fluids. the virus can remain in stools for weeks, so good hand hygiene is essential even after symptoms clear.
view all exclusion periods
the complete illness-by-illness guide
this guide is for informational purposes only. exclusion periods are based on the NHMRC's Staying Healthy guidelines and were accurate at the time of writing. always consult your child's GP or childcare centre for specific advice. mini mode is not a medical service.