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Coxsackie virus is more commonly known as “hand, foot and mouth disease”. It is a viral infection caused by a strain of Coxsackie virus. This virus causes a blister like rash on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet and inside the mouth. Children are prone to this disease due to mode of transmission.

The virus is spread by direct contact with nasal and oral discharge and blisters and feces of those infected.

Symptoms include fever, poor appetite, and runny nose. The blister like rash on the hands, feet and inside the mouth usually occur 1 to 2 days following the initial symptoms. Younger children and infants may drool excessively.

An individual with Coxsackie virus is contagious when the symptoms first appear until the blister rash has disappeared. However, the virus can be present in feces for a number of weeks.

New Jersey Department of Health recommends children diagnosed with Coxsackie virus must be excluded from day care until the child is completely free of all symptoms.

Pregnant women exposed to individuals with confirmed Coxsackie virus should inform their Health Care Provider.
To limit the spread of Coxsackie virus in your home:

Wash hands thoroughly after diapering or toileting your child
Wash hands thoroughly after wiping runny nose or drool from your child

To clean toys or items your child puts in his/her mouth, use a bleach solution of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water – soak item for 10 minutes to thoroughly disinfect – wear gloves

To clean surfaces your child “mouths”, such as crib rails, use a bleach solution of 1 part bleach to 200 parts water – keep surface wet for 5 minutes for effective disinfection.