Health encyclopaedia

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

Hand, foot and mouth disease

Hand, foot and mouth disease is caused by a virus, usually the Coxsackie A virus. It is very contagious (easily spread) and common in children under 5 so outbreaks can occur in playschools. The disease is usually lasts about a week, but it is not usually serious. It affects girls and boys, but boys may have worse symptoms.

Hand, foot and mouth disease is rare in healthy adults, but it can cause complications if a pregnant woman catches it, particularly in the first trimester (see complications).

Hand, foot and mouth disease is not the same thing as foot and mouth disease that affects animals.

• Symptoms
• Causes
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Complications
• Prevention

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