infections
Hand Foot and Mouth Disease
Prevention of Hand Foot and Mouth Disease
Good hygiene A simple and effective way to help prevent hand-foot-and-mouth disease is handwashing. Caregivers should wash their hands after changing diapers. Because most infections that cause hand-foot-and-mouth disease are transmitted by person-to-person contact, particularly through direct or indirect contact with infected stool, good handwashing with soap and water after a bowel movement is an important means of prevention. Diaper-changing areas should be disinfected with a freshly prepared solution of household bleach (¼ cup [60 mL] bleach diluted in 1 gallon [3.79 L] of water). Frequently touched surfaces and soiled items, including toys, should be cleaned and disinfected. People should avoid close contact, such as kissing and hugging, and sharing eating utensils or cups with infected people. There is currently no vaccine approved for use in the United States against the viruses that cause hand-foot-and-mouth disease. 