Over the last two months, there has been an increase in the number of people seeking emergency care for hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), especially involving young children, ages 0 to 4-year-olds in Fairfax County. HFMD is a common viral illness that usually affects infants and children younger than five years old. There have been six outbreaks of HFMD reported in the Fairfax County Health District in 2025, with five of them being reported in the past two months. These increases are also being seen across the rest of Northern Virginia.

What is hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD)?

HFMD is a viral illness that most commonly affects infants and children under 5 years of age. Symptoms typically last 7-10 days and include:

• Fever
• Sore throat
• Painful mouth sores that blister
• Rash commonly found on hands and feet (palms and soles)

The illness is usually not serious, but it is very contagious and can spread quickly through childcare, schools, and summer camps. HFMD spreads by respiratory droplets, contact with secretions, fluid from the blisters, or feces, and by touching environmental surfaces that are contaminated with the virus.

What should you do if your child has HFMD?

Children with symptoms should stay home from school/daycare and camps. Children can return to school/daycare or summer camp when they are fever-free for 24 hours without medication and have no uncontrolled drooling with mouth sores, and they feel well enough to participate in classroom activities. Over-the-counter medications may be used to relieve fever and pain caused by mouth sores. Mouth sores can make it painful to swallow, but it is important to ensure your child drinks enough to stay hydrated.

How can you prevent HFMD?

HFMD can spread through contact with virus particles after a person sneezes, coughs, or talks or touching an infected surface. Prevent spreading by:

• Washing hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds; hand sanitizer is not as effective against the virus
• Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces
• Avoiding close contact with others

Learn more about HFMD.