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Chapters

0:00 Introduction
0:57 Causes of Hand, foot, and mouth disease
1:20 Transmission of Hand, foot, and mouth disease
1:55 Symptoms of Hand, foot, and mouth disease
2:33 Diagnosis of Hand, foot, and mouth disease
3:05 Treatment of Hand, foot, and mouth disease



Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common infection caused by a group of viruses.[10] It typically begins with a fever and feeling generally unwell.[10] This is followed a day or two later by flat discolored spots or bumps that may blister, on the hands, feet and mouth and occasionally buttocks and groin.[1][2][11] Signs and symptoms normally appear 3–6 days after exposure to the virus.[4] The rash generally resolves on its own in about a week.[5] Fingernail and toenail loss may occur a few weeks later, but they will regrow with time.[3]

The viruses that cause HFMD are spread through close personal contact, through the air from coughing and the feces of an infected person.[8] Contaminated objects can also spread the disease.[8] Coxsackievirus A16 is the most common cause, and enterovirus 71 is the second-most common cause.[6] Other strains of coxsackievirus and enterovirus can also be responsible.[6][12] Some people may carry and pass on the virus despite having no symptoms of disease.[10] Other animals are not involved.[8] Diagnosis can often be made based on symptoms.[7] Occasionally, a throat or stool sample may be tested for the virus.[7]

Handwashing may prevent spread, and those infected should not go to work, daycare or school.[8] No antiviral medication or vaccine is available, but development efforts are underway.[13][14] Most cases require no specific treatment.[5] Simple pain medication such as ibuprofen or numbing mouth gel may be used.[9] Occasionally, intravenous fluids are given to children who are unable to drink enough.[9] Rarely, viral meningitis or encephalitis may complicate the disease.[3]

HFMD occurs in all areas of the world.[15] It often occurs in small outbreaks in nursery schools or kindergartens.[1] Large outbreaks have been occurring in Asia since 1997.[15] It usually occurs during the spring, summer and fall months.[15] Typically it occurs in children less than five years old but can occasionally occur in adults.[1][10] HFMD should not be confused with foot-and-mouth disease (also known as hoof-and-mouth disease), which mostly affects livestock.[16]