Hand, foot, and mouth disease

What is Hand, foot, and mouth disease

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a contagious viral illness that primarily affects the mouth lining, skin of the hands and feet, and, in some cases, the digestive tract and other mucosal surfaces. It is usually caused by enteroviruses, most often…

Symptoms of Hand, foot, and mouth disease

Hand, foot, and mouth disease commonly causes fever, mouth pain, sore throat, and a rash or blisters on the hands, feet, and sometimes the buttocks or legs. The symptoms reflect a short viral illness in which the virus infects the lining…

Causes of Hand, foot, and mouth disease

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is caused by infection with specific enteroviruses, most commonly coxsackievirus A16 and enterovirus 71, and sometimes other related viruses such as coxsackievirus A6. The condition develops when these viruses enter the body, replicate in the upper…

Diagnosis of Hand, foot, and mouth disease

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is usually diagnosed clinically, meaning doctors identify it from the pattern of signs and symptoms rather than from a single definitive test. This approach works well because the illness has a characteristic presentation in many cases,…

Treatment for Hand, foot, and mouth disease

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is treated mainly with supportive care : fever and pain control, hydration support, and symptom relief while the immune system clears the viral infection. There is no routine antiviral cure for the common viruses that cause…

Prevention of Hand, foot, and mouth disease

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is an infectious illness caused most often by enteroviruses, especially coxsackieviruses and enterovirus 71. It spreads easily in settings where young children have close contact, shared surfaces, and frequent exposure to respiratory secretions, stool, or fluid…

FAQ about Hand, foot, and mouth disease

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a common viral illness that most often affects infants and children, though adults can get it too. It is usually mild, but it can cause discomfort and spread easily in households, daycare settings, and schools.…