Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is a mild and contagious viral infection that commonly affects young children. It is primarily caused by the coxsackievirus, specifically the A16 strain, although other types of enteroviruses can also be responsible. The disease is characterized by sores in the mouth and a rash on the hands and feet.
Symptoms of hand-foot-and-mouth disease can include fever, sore throat, malaise, painful blister-like lesions in the mouth, and a red rash on the palms, soles, and occasionally the buttocks. Irritability in infants and toddlers, as well as loss of appetite, may also be present. The incubation period is typically three to six days, and the first sign is often a fever, followed by a sore throat and other symptoms.
There is no specific treatment for hand-foot-and-mouth disease, and it usually resolves on its own within a few days. However, there are measures that can help reduce the risk of infection, such as frequent hand-washing and avoiding close contact with infected individuals.
While hand-foot-and-mouth disease is usually a minor illness, complications can occur. Dehydration is the most common complication, as the sores in the mouth and throat can make swallowing painful. It is important to ensure that the child drinks fluids regularly during the course of the illness. In rare cases, a more severe form of the coxsackievirus can lead to complications such as viral meningitis, which involves infection and inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, or encephalitis, which is a severe inflammation of the brain.
Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is most common in children under the age of 10, particularly those under 5 years old. It spreads through person-to-person contact, especially in settings like child care centers where young children are in close proximity to each other. While adults can also contract the disease, they may not show any symptoms and can still transmit the virus.
It’s important to note that hand-foot-and-mouth disease is different from foot-and-mouth disease, which affects farm animals and is unrelated. Hand-foot-and-mouth disease cannot be contracted from or transmitted to animals.
Outbreaks of hand-foot-and-mouth disease are more common in summer and autumn in temperate climates, while in tropical climates, they can occur year-round