Is there any greater risk when an adult comes down with hand foot mouth disease?

Question

female, 70, small blisters on lip, no fever, healthy, contracted from granddaughter. How long am I contagious?

Answer 1

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) is generally not serious in adults or children.

The CDC notes that most people, regardless of their age, recover from HFMD in 7–10 days without medical treatment.

The American Academy of Dermatology Association states that most adults do not experience symptoms if they contract HFMD. Those who do will generally have benign symptoms.

Complications that require medical intervention occur only very rarely.

Individuals with HFMD can be contagious during the incubation period (about three to six days) before symptoms develop and may remain contagious for days or weeks after the symptoms and signs abate.