Can you get hand, foot, and mouth disease more than once?
Disease description:
My son was recently diagnosed with hand, foot, and mouth disease. His condition has improved after treatment. I would like to know whether it is possible to get hand, foot, and mouth disease more than once?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhou Xiaofeng
After having hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), patients may still be reinfected. This is mainly because there are many types of viruses that cause HFMD, and there is no cross-immunity among different viruses. Therefore, even if a patient has previously been infected with one type of virus and recovered, they may still become infected with another type. Additionally, the antibodies produced in the body against HFMD viruses last for a limited duration, generally about two years, and only provide immunity against the same virus. Thus, patients may still contract HFMD again when exposed to a new virus or when their immunity decreases. To prevent reinfection with HFMD, it is recommended that patients actively receive vaccinations, maintain good personal hygiene, strengthen their immune system, and avoid crowded places during peak outbreak periods.
