As children have returned to school, area health care providers are seeing an uptick in hand, foot, and mouth disease.

The virus, which causes fever, mouth sores and a skin rash, is spread through contact with droplets after a person sneezes, coughs or talks; objects and surfaces; fluid from blisters; and human waste.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the disease is common in children under 5 years old, but anyone can get it. While not typically serious, hand, foot, and mouth disease very contagious.

“We typically recommend a child stay home until they have no fever for 24 hours, feel well enough to participate in activities, and have no uncontrolled drooling with mouth sores,” said Amanda Robinson, ARNP, of UnityPoint Clinic Family Medicine – Peosta. “If there is a bad outbreak, at times the local health department may place recommendations as well.”

There is typically no medication prescribed for hand, foot and mouth disease, and most people get better on their own in 7 to 10 days.

To avoid spreading the virus, Robinson recommends washing hands often, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and shared items like toys and doorknobs, avoiding close contact with others, and avoiding touching your face.

“Patients do not necessarily have to see a provider for a diagnosis if they are sure this is what they have or they have been exposed,” Robinson said. “Our recommendations are to relieve pain and fever with over-the-counter medications and to make efforts to prevent dehydration. With the mouth sores it can be painful to swallow so it is important to keep pushing fluids.”