Increase in Strep & Hand, Foot, and Mouth Infections

September 26, 2023

Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital and Rural Health Clinics have seen an increase in the number of cases of Strep Throat and Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease cases during the month of September, 2023.  We are sharing information on these infections and when to seek care. Both illnesses are highly contagious and may require an individual to miss school or work. 

Strep Throat Infections

• Caused by bacteria and spread by respiratory secretions and CAN be treated with antibiotics
• Onset is quick with severe sore throat, fever, tiny white spots or pus in the back of the throat and /or swollen neck glands
•  Complications if not treated can be joint pain, rash and heart valve damage.
• See provider and get tested to confirm the condition. If you test negative, it could be a viral infection and antibiotics will not work. If you test positive for a strep throat infection, you must stay away from work/school/daycare for 24 hours after antibiotics have been given. You should also stay away until the fever is gone for 24 hours without fever reducing medication

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

•  Caused by a virus and spread through respiratory secretions, contact with saliva and stool. The virus may be found in the digestive tract. This CANNOT be treated with antibiotics.
• Symptoms may appear in 2 stages:
  • First, Flu-like symptoms with mild fever, sore throat, runny nose and loss of appetite may occur.
  • Second, primary symptoms will go away, and new symptoms begin a few days later.
    •  An itchy rash may occur on the palms of hands, soles of feet, elbows, knees, genitals or buttocks. These may turn into fluid filled blisters.
    • Painful mouth sores form in the mouth starting bright pink or tiny bumps that will also turn in to blisters.
•  This is usually not a severe illness and patients recover within 7-10 days.
  • Infants and children under the age of 5 years old are the most likely to become ill but adults may also become infected and have the same signs and symptoms.
  •  The patient is contagious until the blisters dry up. This is similar to chickenpox infections.
  • If a patient has a known exposure to this disease and you are seeing a provider, please call ahead to prevent the spread of this very contagious illness. Telehealth visits may be possible.
  • Patients need to stay out of work until the blisters have dried up. They should also stay home until the fever has been gone for 24 hours without fever reducing medication

Support for both Strep Throat and Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

• Over-the-Counter pain relievers such as Patients with both Strep Throat and Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease infections may benefit from over-the-counter pain relievers such as Tylenol or Advil and Motrin.
• NEVER GIVE ASPIRIN to CHILDREN to prevent Reye’s Syndrome.
• Popsicles help with both strep throat and Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease

Prevention

• Avoid touching saliva and stool, direct contact with the blisters, kissing, hugging, touching your nose and face, sharing toys, clothing or towels.
• Good cleaning of high touch surfaces and laundering clothes, blankets and towels will kill these germs.
• Proper cough etiquette and good hand hygiene especially after diapering will help also.
• Keeping children home or not reporting to work when signs and symptoms are present also does a good job to protect others.

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