Hand foot and mouth disease  is a viral infection which is very contagious. It is common in infants and children younger than 5 years old  even though it can sometimes occur in adults. This viral infection is  caused by the  coxsackievirus A16.

You have to know that hand foot and mouth disease is completely different from foot and mouth disease which occurs mostly in animals and is caused by another type of virus.

Most children recover within 7 to 10 days with no complications. However in rare occasions complication do occur and these include heart failure due to myocarditis   or even death related to abnormal heart rhythm. Newborns with enterovirus infection may get severe infections leading to liver failure and massive bleeding.

It is most common in the warm summer and early fall months but can occur all year round in the tropical parts of the world.

What are the symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease ?

It usually starts with  fever , sore throat, lose of appetite and feeling of being unwell. A couple of days after the fever starts, painful sores begin in the mouth. They usually begin as small , red spots that blister and become ulcers. A skin rash with red spots  and sometimes blisters may develop over one or two days and become ulcers. This rash may appear on the palm of the hands and soles of the feet. It may also appear on the knees, elbows, buttocks and genital areas. Children who are not able to swallow because of the painful mouth sores may get dehydrated. Not everyone get all the symptoms. Adults may not show symptoms at all.

How is it transmitted ?

The virus can be found in the infected person’s

• nose and throat secretions such as saliva and nasal mucus
• blister fluid
• feces

An infected person may spread the virus to another person through

• close contact
• air through coughing or  sneezing
• contact with feces
• contact with contaminated objects and surfaces

Infected people are most contagious during the first week of infection

How is it diagnosed ?

If you have symptoms that indicate an  enterovirus  infection, your doctor may perform a physical exam. If hand foot and mouth disease is suspected, the doctor will look out for signs associated with this infection as well as sores in the mouth and throat.

Your doctor will test a specimen from your throat or stool as well as other areas of the body to confirm his diagnosis. You may also have a blood and urine test to check for the presence of the enteroviruses

Your doctor will perform a lumbar puncture (spinal tap)  to test spinal fluid if meningitis is suspected. A chest x-ray film will be taken and an electrocardiogram (EKG) will be performed when myocarditis is suspected.

How is hand foot and mouth treated ?

There are no specific treatment available for treatment of infection with enteroviruses. Your pediatrician may recommend acetaminophen to treat fever and ease mouth sore discomfort.

How can it be prevented ?

There is no vaccine against hand foot and mouth disease.Practicing good personal hygiene reduces the risk of spreading the infection. Parents and caregivers who change diapers should wash their hands often. When your child becomes sick with enterovirus infection, you need to keep them out of daycare settings, swimming pools and school for the first few days of the infection. Infected surfaces and objects should be disinfected often. You should also avoid close contact with infected persons. This include

• kissing
• hugging
• sharing utensils and cups