Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Complications

Serious complications from hand, foot, and mouth disease are rare. Enterovirus 71 is more likely to cause problems than other HFMD viruses.

Complications may include:

• Dehydration if mouth sores make it hard to swallow liquids
• Swelling of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord (viral meningitis)
• Brain swelling (encephalitis)
• Swelling of the heart muscle (myocarditis)
• Paralysis