Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

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Introduction Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a common disease that affects children and sometimes adults. Children under five years old are more likely to have the disease. It can occur any time of the year, but it is more common in the summer and fall. The disease is not serious, and usually goes away in a week or so. There are many methods of prevention to stay clean from the disease. Hand, foot, and mouth disease is not the same as diseases that have similar names such as foot-and-mouth disease, which only occurs in animals, and not in humans. Description of Disease Hand, foot, and mouth disease causes sores in the mouth and on the hands, feet, and sometimes the buttocks and legs. Hand, foot, and mouth disease is caused by viruses that are in the Enterovirus group. This group of viruses includes polioviruses, coxsackieviruses, echoviruses, and enteroviruses. Coxsackievirus A16 is the most common cause of hand, foot, and mouth. Also, Enterovirus 71 has been associated with outbreaks of the disease. The virus is easily spread through coughing and sneezing. Symptoms of hand, foot, and mouth disease include fever, blister-like sores in the mouth, and skin rashes. Signs and Symptoms The disease usually starts with a fever, poor appetite, stomach sickness, and a sore throat. After the first few days after the fever begins, mouth sores may begin to develop. They are small red spots that are often blisters or ulcers in the mouth. Also, a skin rash develops over one to two days. The rash may have flat or raised red spots, sometimes with blisters. The red rash may appear on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, knees, elbows, buttocks, or genital area. The sore and blisters may go away in a week or so. Treatment Hand, foot, and mouth disease does not need treatment. The disease only lasts seven to ten days at a time. However, some things can be done to relieve

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