Hand, foot and mouth disease is a common infectious disease, caused by the coxsackievirus. It is a disease mainly of children, especially of toddlers, and is not at all serious. The disease is most prevalent during summer and autumn.

Symptoms

The disease is usually mild and only last a few days. It features many small blisters (vesicles) in the mouth and on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. These may also appear on other parts of the body. There may be some difficulty in swallowing, a slight fever and occasionally vomiting.

Causes

Hand, foot and mouth disease is caused by a virus called Coxsackie virus A16 or A10. This is a totally different virus from the one that causes foot and mouth disease in animals.

Diagnosis

The distribution of the rash and the quick spontaneous recovery indicate the diagnosis. The virus can be isolated from mouth secretions, stools and blood.

Treatment

No treatment is required for hand, foot and mouth disease, mild painkillers may be given to relieve discomfort from the blisters. Recovery occurs within a week.