How Long After Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Does It Become Non-Contagious?

Question

We have two children at home. The older one is currently in school, but recently several children in the kindergarten have been infected with Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease. However, the older child still goes to school every afternoon and comes back home. I’m worried that the younger one might be affected. How long does it take for Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease to become non-contagious?

Answer

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease is a contagious illness. If infected, the younger child will definitely be affected. Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease typically becomes non-contagious after about a week of treatment. During this incubation period, it is not recommended to send the baby to kindergarten to avoid re-infection with Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease. It’s important to teach children to wash their hands frequently, avoid drinking cold water, eat less cold food, consume only cooked food, and ensure good ventilation indoors to reduce the occurrence of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease.