The viral disease known as hand foot and mouth disease in the human is completely unrelated to the disease of the same name in animals. It is generally a mild condition and can affect any age but is predominantly seen in children aged under 10 years. Most adults will have already been exposed to the virus in childhood.

It is caused by an enterovirus, usually coxacki A16.

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HAND FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE – CLINICAL KNOWLEDGE SUMMARIES

COUNTRY : UK

Non-polio enteroviruses (including coxsackie A and B, echoviruses, and other enteroviruses) are among the most common viral infections in humans, second only to common cold viruses [Essex Health Protection Unit, 2009].
This group of viruses is most active in the late summer or early autumn in temperate climates [Frydenberg and Starr, 2003].
Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) occurs worldwide. It appears sporadically as well as in regular epidemics. However, many cases are asymptomatic and go undetected [CDC, 2008].

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Many years ago general practitioners, nurses, and often mothers and grandmothers were well acquainted with the rashes of the then common infectious diseases such as measles, rubella (German measles), scarlet fever and chicken pox. For example, doctors would have been well trained in distinguishing the rash of chicken pox from the dreaded smallpox rash. The doctors of today have only seen the rash of smallpox in a textbook because this infection is now virtually extinct although most doctors will still be taught about it.

Chicken pox is still common but the other infectious diseases much less so, but other rashes are seen that are much less typical than those of the common infectious diseases of yester-year.

The pre-school child in particular has a real knack of producing weird skin rashes associated with viral infections.

Hand, foot and mouth disease is one of these viral infections. The disease in the human is highly infectious but generally takes a mild course. It is completely unrelated to the condition of the same name that affects animals.

HAND, FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE

COUNTRY : UK

Hand, foot and mouth disease is usually a short mild illness that mainly affects children. Most children fully recover within a week. Serious complications occur rarely. This disease is NOT related to the disease with a similar name which affects animals.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF HAND FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE DURING PREGNANCY?

COUNTRY: UK

Hand, foot and mouth disease is rare in healthy adults, so the risk of infection during pregnancy is very low.
If a pregnant woman gets hand, foot and mouth disease, the risk of complications is also very low.

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