Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease in Grand Rapids, MI

Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common viral illness seen in children across Grand Rapids and West Michigan. It is usually caused by coxsackie viruses (most often coxsackievirus A16), a type of enterovirus.

HFMD is not related to “foot and mouth disease” that affects cattle and other animals.

What Is Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease?

HFMD is a contagious infection that:

  • Causes a rash and small blisters on the hands and feet
  • Produces painful sores in the mouth
  • Often causes a rash or blisters in the diaper (nappy) area

In most children in Grand Rapids, HFMD is a mild illness that lasts about 7 to 10 days and clears on its own.

HFMD occurs mainly in:

  • Children under 10 years old
  • But can also affect older children, teens, and adults

By adulthood, most people in Michigan have been infected at least once and have some immunity.

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease in Grand Rapids: Local Patterns

In Grand Rapids, HFMD is:

  • More common in warmer months (late spring, summer, and early fall), especially when kids are outdoors, at playgrounds, and in daycare
  • Seen in childcare centers, preschools, and elementary schools throughout Kent County
  • Reported to local public health agencies including the Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health when outbreaks occur

Because Grand Rapids has cold, long winters, parents may notice fewer cases in winter, with spikes when children return to group activities and indoor play spaces in the spring and summer.

How Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease Spreads

HFMD spreads easily between children in:

  • Daycare centers and preschools
  • Elementary schools
  • Playgroups and sports teams
  • Households with multiple children

The virus is spread through:

  • Direct contact with fluid from skin blisters
  • Nose and throat secretions (saliva, mucus, sputum)
  • Droplets from coughing or sneezing
  • Feces (poop), especially during diaper changes or toilet use

In Grand Rapids childcare settings, outbreaks can spread quickly if:

  • Children share toys that are not cleaned regularly
  • Handwashing is not done properly
  • Sick children are not kept home

How Long Is Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease Contagious?

  • The skin blisters are infectious until they dry out and crust over and there is no more fluid inside.
  • The virus can continue to be shed in stool (poop) for several weeks after the rash and blisters have healed.

This means a child can still spread HFMD even after they start to look and feel better.

Symptoms of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

People usually develop symptoms 3 to 7 days after being infected.

Common symptoms include:

  • Fever
  • Sore throat
  • Feeling tired, irritable, or “off”
  • Poor appetite or refusing to eat, especially if the mouth is sore

Typical rash and blisters:

  • Mouth sores:

    • Blister-like lesions on the inside of the cheeks
    • Sores on the sides of the tongue
    • Ulcers on the gums or roof of the mouth
      These can be painful and make drinking or eating difficult.

  • Skin rash and blisters:

    • Small red spots or blisters on the palms of the hands
    • Blisters on the fingers and between the fingers
    • Blisters on the soles of the feet and sometimes on the toes
    • Rash or blisters in the diaper (nappy) area in younger children

Children with HFMD are often:

  • Irritable or fussy
  • More tired than usual
  • Less interested in food or drinks

Rare but Serious Symptoms

Very rarely, the virus can affect the brain or spinal cord, causing more serious illness. Seek urgent medical care at a Grand Rapids emergency department (such as Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, or Metro Health – University of Michigan Health) or call 911 if a child with HFMD develops:

  • Severe or worsening headache
  • Stiff neck
  • Seizures
  • Confusion, unusual behavior, or difficulty waking up
  • Unsteadiness, trouble walking, or loss of balance
  • Persistent high fever that does not improve with medicine

Diagnosis of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

In most cases in Grand Rapids, HFMD is diagnosed by a healthcare provider based on symptoms and physical exam.

Your child’s doctor, pediatrician, or an urgent care provider will:

  • Ask about your child’s symptoms and when they started
  • Look at the rash on the hands, feet, and diaper area
  • Check for mouth sores and throat redness
  • Check temperature and overall condition

Lab tests are usually not needed.
Occasionally, your provider may take:

  • A throat swab, or
  • A stool (feces) sample

to confirm the virus or rule out other conditions.

Local places to seek diagnosis in Grand Rapids include:

  • Pediatric clinics within Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health)
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids pediatric and family medicine practices
  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health clinics
  • Urgent care centers throughout Kent County

Treatment for Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

There is no specific antiviral treatment for HFMD. In most cases, no special medical treatment is required, and the illness resolves within about a week.

Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and preventing dehydration:

Pain and Fever Relief

  • Use acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) as directed by your child’s doctor or according to the package instructions for age and weight.
  • Do NOT give aspirin to children or teenagers due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome.

Mouth Pain and Eating

  • Offer cool, soft foods such as yogurt, applesauce, smoothies, and ice pops.
  • Avoid acidic or spicy foods, especially:
    • Orange juice
    • Lemonade
    • Tomato-based foods
      These can make mouth pain worse.
  • Encourage frequent small sips of fluids to prevent dehydration:
    • Water
    • Oral rehydration solutions
    • Milk (if tolerated)

Skin Blister Care

  • Allow blisters to dry naturally.
  • Do not pierce or pop blisters, as the fluid is infectious and can spread the virus.
  • Keep the skin clean and dry.
  • Use loose, comfortable clothing to avoid irritation, especially in the diaper area.

When to Call a Doctor in Grand Rapids

Contact your child’s doctor, pediatrician, or an urgent care clinic if:

  • Fever lasts more than 3 days
  • Your child is not drinking well or has fewer wet diapers
  • Pain seems severe or is not improving with recommended medicines
  • You are unsure if the rash is HFMD or something else

Seek urgent or emergency care if:

  • Your child shows signs of dehydration (very dry mouth, no tears when crying, very few wet diapers or trips to the bathroom)
  • There is trouble breathing or very fast breathing
  • Your child is unusually sleepy, hard to wake, confused, or having seizures

Preventing the Spread of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

Good personal hygiene is essential to prevent HFMD from spreading in Grand Rapids homes, schools, and childcare centers.

Handwashing

Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water:

  • After changing diapers or helping a child use the toilet
  • After contact with blister fluid
  • After wiping a child’s nose or handling tissues
  • After helping a child who is coughing or sneezing
  • Before preparing food or feeding children
  • After using public play areas or shared toys (especially in indoor play spaces during Michigan winters)

Teach children to:

  • Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
  • Dry hands completely with a clean towel or paper towel

Cough and Sneeze Etiquette

Teach children to:

  • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or their elbow, not their hands
  • Throw tissues away immediately
  • Wash hands after coughing, sneezing, or blowing their nose

Avoid Sharing Personal Items

To reduce the spread of HFMD in homes, schools, and daycares:

  • Use separate eating and drinking utensils for each person
  • Do not share:
    • Cups, bottles, or straws
    • Towels or washcloths
    • Toothbrushes
    • Clothing, especially shoes and socks

Cleaning and Disinfecting

Clean and disinfect items that may be contaminated with saliva, mucus, or stool:

  • Toys and play surfaces
  • High-touch surfaces (doorknobs, light switches, tabletops)
  • Changing tables and bathroom surfaces
  • Any soiled clothing or bedding

Wash soiled items in hot water with detergent and dry thoroughly.

School and Childcare Guidelines in Grand Rapids

To help prevent outbreaks in Grand Rapids schools and daycare centers:

  • Children with HFMD should stay home from school, daycare, and preschool until all blisters have dried and there is no more fluid present.
  • Parents should inform the childcare director or school principal if their child is diagnosed with HFMD, so other families and staff can be alerted and extra cleaning can be done.

Local childcare and schools often follow guidance from:

  • Kent County Health Department
  • Grand Rapids Public Schools health policies
  • Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recommendations

If you are unsure when your child can safely return, ask your pediatrician or school nurse.

Local Resources for Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease in Grand Rapids

For advice, diagnosis, and treatment, you can contact:

  • Your primary care provider or pediatrician in Grand Rapids
  • Urgent care centers affiliated with:
    • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health)
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health

For public health information:

  • Kent County Health Department
    Website: search “Kent County Health Department HFMD”
  • Grand Rapids Public Health resources through local clinics and community health programs

If you are ever unsure whether your child needs urgent care, call your doctor’s office or visit a local urgent care or emergency department for guidance.

Key Points About Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease in Grand Rapids

  • HFMD causes blisters on the hands, feet, in the mouth, and often in the diaper area.
  • It is more common in warmer weather and spreads easily between children in schools and childcare centers across Grand Rapids.
  • HFMD occurs mainly in children under 10, but older children and adults can also be affected.
  • By adulthood, most people have been infected with the virus that causes HFMD.
  • Good personal hygiene—especially handwashing, cleaning surfaces, and not sharing personal items—is essential to prevent the spread of infection in homes, schools, and childcare settings in West Michigan.