Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease

Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a human ailment caused by intestinal viruses belonging to the Picornaviridae family. The primary strains responsible for HFMD are the Coxsackie A virus and Enterovirus 71 (EV-71).

HFMD predominantly affects infants and children and is relatively common. It spreads moderately easily through direct contact with the mucus, saliva, or feces of an infected individual. Typically, it occurs in small outbreaks in daycare centers or preschools, particularly during the summer and autumn months. The usual incubation period ranges from 3 to 7 days.

While HFMD is rare in adults, individuals with weakened immune systems are highly vulnerable. It's essential not to confuse HFMD with foot-and-mouth disease, a distinct ailment affecting sheep, cattle, and pigs, and unrelated to HFMD despite being caused by a member of the Picornaviridae family.

Symptoms of HFMD encompass

- Fever
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Malaise
- Ear pain
- Sore throat
- Painful lesions in the mouth
- Non-itchy rash on the body, followed by blistering sores on the palms of hands and soles of feet
- Oral ulcers
- Sores or blisters may also appear on the nose, nostrils, and buttocks of infants and young children
- Irritability in infants and toddlers
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhea

The typical incubation period is 3 to 7 days

Early symptoms often include fever, followed by a sore throat. Loss of appetite and overall malaise may also manifest. Within one to two days of fever onset, painful sores (lesions) may emerge in the mouth and/or throat. A rash may develop on the hands, feet, mouth, tongue, inner cheeks, and occasionally the buttocks (although buttock rash is typically associated with diarrhea).

Treatment

There is no specific treatment for HFMD. Symptomatic relief, such as reducing fever and alleviating pain from sores, can be achieved with analgesics. HFMD is a viral infection that must run its course; therefore, many physicians refrain from prescribing medication for this condition. Infection in older children, adolescents, and adults is generally mild and lasts approximately one week, sometimes longer. Fever reducers and lukewarm baths can aid in lowering body temperature.

Only a very small percentage of patients require hospitalization, primarily due to rare neurological complications (encephalitis, meningitis, or acute flaccid paralysis) or pulmonary edema/hemorrhage.