Did you know that people with hand, foot and mouth disease are most contagious during their first week of illness?

Symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease include:

• fever
• sore throat
• decreased appetite
• lack of energy
• blister like sores in the mouth
• rash of flat red spots that may blister on the palms of the hands, the feet and sometimes knees, elbows , buttocks and genital area.

You can reduce your risk of getting and spreading hand, foot and mouth disease by washing your hands often, especially after using the washroom, changing diapers and before preparing and eating food.

It is also important to stay home when you are feeling ill to prevent others from getting sick.

For more information please visit https://www.cdc.gov/Features/HandFootMouthDisease/