As we head into the season, we want to keep our athletes, coaches, and families healthy. Recently, there have been reports of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) in our community. While this illness is common among children, it can spread quickly through teams if precautions aren’t taken. Here’s what you need to know and how we can all work together to prevent outbreaks.

⚠️ General Reminder

If an athlete—or a close family member of an athlete—has any communicable disease, they may need to miss practice or a game until the illness has subsided. This is important to prevent significant spread through the team.

🦠 Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD)

HFMD is a viral infection that most often affects children and teens.

Symptoms may include:

• Fever, sore throat, loss of appetite

• Painful blisters or ulcers in the mouth (tongue, gums, cheeks)

• Blisters or red spots on hands, feet, and sometimes buttocks

• Rash that may develop into blisters

• Drooling, runny nose, cough

• Headaches or muscle aches

📅 Symptoms usually appear 2–6 days after exposure and last 7–10 days.
💡 HFMD is most contagious in the first week, especially when fever and open sores are present.
🧴 It spreads through contact with saliva, nasal secretions, or blister fluid.

✅ Prevention Tips

• Sit Out if Sick: Any athlete diagnosed with HFMD must sit out for one week.

• Hand Hygiene: Encourage frequent handwashing. Each team med kit has sanitizer—athletes should use it before and after practice or games. If you run out, let us know.

• Wipe Down After Practice: Defense wipes are a quick way to clean up before showering.

• Shower at Home ASAP: The most effective way to remove germs is a thorough shower using a washcloth under running water. Antibacterial soap can help, but the scrubbing and rinsing matter most.

By staying proactive, we can help reduce the spread of illness and keep our season safe and enjoyable for everyone.

Here’s to a healthy season!
Holly Jarovsky
📞 815-751-3439