Question
How long is the incubation period for hand, foot, and mouth disease?
Answer
The incubation period for hand, foot, and mouth disease can last for several days, especially before the blisters have completely healed and the virus remains contagious. Contact with the fluid from the blisters can lead to infection. It is generally recommended to isolate the child until the blisters disappear to prevent the spread of the virus to others. Children with hand, foot, and mouth disease should avoid school or outdoor play. Enhancing the child’s own immunity is also important for preventing infection.