News & Announcements

Advisory – Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease – September 26, 2019

Two Northeastern students have been diagnosed with and treated for Hand, Foot Mouth Disease (HFMD) by the Northeastern University Health and Counseling Services (UHCS) since September 20th, 2019.  HFMD is caused by a virus.  It is most common in children under 5 years of age, but it can sometimes occur in adults.

HFMD may be spread by:

  • Breathing in air contaminated with the virus after an infected person sneezes or coughs
  • Touching the stool of an infected person (ex. changing a diaper)
  • Touching the nose (mucus) and throat (spit, sputum) of an infected person and touching your own eyes, nose or mouth
  • Touching objects like toys and door handles contaminated by the virus

Symptoms of HFMD may include:

  • Fever
  • Poor appetite
  • Sore throat
  • Headache
  • Small painful blisters inside the mouth on tongue, inside of the cheeks, and gums (last 4 to 6 days)
  • Rash or blisters on the palms of hands, on fingers, and on the soles of the feet for 7 to 10 days.
  • Blisters may also appear on the knees, elbows, buttocks or genital area

If you or someone you know are experiencing these symptoms, please go immediately to UHCS during business hours, or to your nearest available health care center, including your primary care clinician, urgent care or emergency department, for clinical assessment and recommendations.

How is HFMD diagnosed?

A health care provider can diagnose HFMD by looking at the blisters on the body and the mouth sores in a person with a fever.

There is no preventative vaccine or specific treatment for HFMD, however,

You can lower your risk for being infected with HFMD by:

  • Washing your hands with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom
  • Careful disposal of diapers and any soiled articles
  • Wear gloves when applying lotions or treatment to blisters/sores
  • Clean and disinfect all common toys and diaper changing areas (first wash with soap and water then disinfect with one solution of chlorine bleach made by mixing 1 tablespoon of beach with 4 cups of water)
  • Avoid close contact (kissing, hugging, sharing cups) with infected persons

If you have been diagnosed with HFMD,

  • Stay “home” in your residence room, apartment or home and rest if you have a fever or feel too unwell to tend to your day’s responsibilities.
  • It is not necessary to be “excluded’ or isolated from all personal contact if you follow the above practices.  
  • Staying hydrated is important – drink cool fluids if your throat is sore.
  • Avoid spicy or acidic foods and drinks since they may make sores in the mouth more painful

For further information, please see the Boston Public Health Commission Fact Sheet on HFMD.

UHCS

Address: Forsyth Building, 1st Floor

Phone: 617-373-2772, choice #2

Hours:

Monday: 8AM-5PM

Tuesday: 8AM-8PM

Wednesday: 8AM-5PM

Thursday: 8AM-8PM

Friday: 8AM-5PM

Saturday: 12PM-4PM (September thru June)