Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease vs. Monkeypox: Symptoms and Precautions

Risk factors for both Mpox and Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) include close contact with infected individuals, making them highly transmissible in communal settings such as schools, daycare centers, and households.

Mpox can spread through direct contact with skin lesions, bodily fluids, or respiratory droplets, particularly during prolonged face-to-face interaction, and through handling infected animals in endemic regions.

HFMD primarily affects young children and spreads via respiratory droplets, direct contact with saliva, stool, or blister fluid, and contaminated surfaces.

Poor hygiene practices further elevate the risk for both diseases, with individuals in close-contact environments and those with weakened immune systems being particularly vulnerable.

The recent Mpox outbreaks involve three distinct epidemics: In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Clade I variant spreads primarily among children through animal-to-human transmission in the eastern DRC. The Clade Ib variant has emerged in eastern DRC and neighboring countries, spreading through densely populated refugee camps. Meanwhile, the Clade IIb variant in Nigeria, linked to global outbreaks since 2022, continues to spread internationally, affecting a broad demographic.

To prevent both Mpox and Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD), it’s important to follow similar preventive measures. Frequent handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is a key step in protecting against both infections, especially after using the bathroom, changing diapers, or coughing. Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with individuals who have visible symptoms, such as rashes or blisters, and refrain from sharing personal items like utensils, bedding, or clothing with those who are infected. Additionally, regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and shared items, including toys and doorknobs. While getting vaccinated with the JYNNEOS vaccine can provide specific protection against mpox, and though there is no vaccine for HFMD, these shared preventive actions can significantly reduce the risk of contracting either virus.

At first glance, it can be challenging to differentiate between HFMD and mpox, as the initial rash stages — characterized by flat red spots — can appear similar. However, these rashes progress differently. Mpox lesions typically develop more slowly over two to four weeks, evolving into pus-filled blisters with a central indentation before crusting over and eventually falling off. In contrast, HFMD rashes usually present as flat red spots on the hands and feet, accompanied by blisters in the mouth, and tend to resolve within seven to ten days. Another key difference is that mpox may cause swollen lymph nodes, a symptom that is less common in HFMD.