Hand, foot and mouth disease is usually caused by the coxsackie A virus, but it is sometimes caused by the coxsackie B virus or the enterovirus 71.
These viruses remain in the body for weeks after symptoms have gone away, so infected people can pass the disease to others even when they appear well.
Airborne spread
The viruses that cause hand, foot and mouth disease are contained in the millions of tiny droplets that come out of the nose and mouth when someone with the disease coughs or sneezes. These droplets hang suspended in the air for a while, then land on surfaces. Anyone who touches these surfaces can spread the virus by touching something else.
People usually become infected by picking up the virus on their hands from contaminated objects and then placing their hands near their mouth or nose. It is also possible to breathe in the virus if it is suspended in airborne droplets.
Other ways of catching it
You can also become infected with hand, foot and mouth disease if you have contact with fluid from the sores, saliva or faeces of someone who is infected.
The virus stays in the faeces for about four weeks after the person has recovered. It is, therefore, vital that adults and children wash their hands thoroughly after going to the toilet or handling nappies.
