If a pregnant woman gets hand, foot and mouth disease, there’s normally no risk to the unborn baby, as complications are rare.
HFMD is rare in healthy adults, so the risk of infection during pregnancy is also very low.
However, if you develop hand, foot and mouth disease:
- during the first three months of pregnancy – in very rare cases, this may result in miscarriage due to the high temperature (fever) in the mother
- shortly before you give birth – the infection can be passed on to your baby
Most babies born with hand, foot and mouth disease have only mild symptoms. On rare occasions, complications can affect the baby’s organs. Occasionally, these complications are severe.
When to get advice
If you develop any type of rash when you’re pregnant, contact your GP or midwife. If you think you've got hand, foot and mouth disease, seek their advice.
What is hand, foot and mouth disease?
Hand, foot and mouth disease is a viral infection, usually caused by coxsackievirus A. It's common in children, but rare in healthy adults. Most adults are immune to the virus because they had contact with it as a child.
Early symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease include a fever and sore throat, followed by sores or blisters in your mouth and on your hands and feet. The incubation period (the time between catching the disease and showing symptoms) is three to five days. During this time, the virus can be passed on.
Hand, foot and mouth disease is highly contagious and spreads through:
- coughs and sneezes
- contact with infected stools (faeces)
- contact with the fluid in the blisters
There’s no specific treatment for hand, foot and mouth disease, but there are steps you can take to ease your symptoms.
Reducing the risk of infection
Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and hot water after going to the toilet or handling nappies, and make sure that the toilet is clean. Avoid sharing cups, cutlery or towels with someone who has the virus.
Avoiding children who have symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease may reduce the risk of catching the illness. However, a child with the virus will be infectious before they show any symptoms.
Is it related to foot and mouth disease?
No. Foot and mouth disease is a different condition, and usually only affects animals.
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