Viral Infections

Home » Viral Infections » Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease

Overview

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) is a highly contagious viral infection that occurs mainly in the mouth, on the feet, and on the hands. It affects younger children severely. The infection typically spreads from child to child, and from child to parents. Resolution can be expected within a week.

Cause

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is caused by the coxsackievirus. Isolated cases can occur, and epidemics occur regularly.

Signs and Symptoms

A few days after exposure, a low-grade fever, anorexia, malaise, and mouth soreness occurs. The fever, usually about 101°F, lasts a few days. Within a day or two, sores erupt in the mouth. They begin as tiny blisters on a red base that open up and resolve in a few days. Within a couple of days, small, clear to white blisters develop on the palms and soles. Similar lesions may develop on the rest of the skin. The characteristic oval blisters resolve within 1 week.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is typically made by clinical observation.

Treatment

Treatment is directed toward symptomatic relief. A topical solution containing xylocaine (a numbing agent) can be applied to oral ulcers to ease pain.

Prevention

No vaccine exists to prevent hand-foot-and-mouth disease. Infection during the first trimester of pregnancy may occasionally result in miscarriage, so exposure should be avoided.

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