Hand-Foot-And-Mouth Disease Symptoms, Causes, Risk Factors, Diagnosis and Treatment

What Is Hand-Foot-And-Mouth Disease ?

The condition is a mild, infectious illness caused by a virus. It commonly occurs in children. Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is marked by a rash on the feet and hands, and sores that forms in the patient’s mouth. The virus named coxsackievirus A16 is responsible for triggering hand-foot-and-mouth disease.

The viral infection has no particular treatment, however one can minimize the chances of contracting the infection simply by following good hygiene practice, besides, it is also important to guide your children, ways to keep themselves clean.

What Are The Alternate Names Of Hand-Foot-And-Mouth Disease ?

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is also known by the following names:

HFM disease.
Coxsackievirus infection.

What Are The Symptoms Of Hand-Foot-And-Mouth Disease ?

The viral infection can source all or just few of the following signs:

Sore throat.
Fever.
Loss of appetite.
Red, painful lesions that may develop on the gums and tongue. These lesions may look like blister.
General ill feeling, a condition known as malaise.
Red rash on the soles, buttocks and palms. The rash may not itch.
Irritability in toddlers and infants.

What Are The Causes And Risk Factors Of Hand-Foot-And-Mouth Disease ?

As mentioned earlier, the virus named coxsackievirus A16 is responsible for triggering hand-foot-and-mouth disease. Children tend to be its common victims, particularly the ones under 10 years of ages. The fact does not exclude adults and teens to be safe; however, quite rarely, they can also be affected. The frequent occurrence of hand-foot-and-mouth disease is observed in early fall and summer.

In addition to this, the virus can transmit to an otherwise healthy body via person-to person contact, by means of air droplets, released when an infected person:

Coughs.
Sneezes.
Blow his or her nose.

What Are The Complications Of Hand-Foot-And-Mouth Disease ?

Often, the viral illness tends to be minor that causes fever for some days, accompanied with mild indications. However; it may cause dehydration. In addition to this, an individual with hand-foot-and-mouth disease can face difficulties to swallow food, due to the sores developed in his or her throat and mouth.

How Is Hand-Foot-And-Mouth Disease Diagnosis ?

The doctor can detect hand-foot-and-mouth disease based upon the following factors:

Evaluating the patient’s age.
Evaluating then pattern of symptoms and indications.
Evaluating the appearance of sores or rash.

Moreover, the doctor will need a stool sample or throat swab in order to send it for lab testing. This will help him determine the virus responsible for sourcing the symptoms.

How Is Hand-Foot-And-Mouth Disease Treatment ?

The viral illness has no particular treatment. Its symptoms normally resolve within 7-10 days.

However; to ease the pain associated with mouth sores, topical oral anesthetic can be an effective option. As far as the general discomfort is concerned, over-the counter pain drugs can help. Few examples include: