Hand foot and mouth disease is a contagious infection caused by virus. It is often seen in young children and is marked by the presence of mouth sores and rashes on the feet and hands. It is caused by coxsackie virus. It is necessary for the children to follow good hygiene to prevent getting this infection.
Symptoms :
Mouth sores, sore throat, painful blisters on the oral cavity, fatigue, rash on the palms and feet, loss of appetite and fever are some of the common signs of this infectious disease. The virus remains on the body of the person for 3-7 days (incubation period) after which the symptoms begin to appear. If there is fever followed by skin rash it can possibly be hand, foot and mouth disease.
Causes :
This disease is caused by coxsakie virus A16. It is categorized under non polio enterovirus group. The child or adult can get this virus while he takes contaminated food. As the infection is contagious, it can spread easily to others through saliva and nasal secretion. Even the fluid like discharge from the blisters can spread the virus to others. When the infected person coughs or sneezes, millions of droplets get expelled which remains in the air for infecting others. There is increased risk for children who are left in day-care centers for getting this infection from other child. Sometimes, the virus remains dormant in the child’s body for weeks together even when the symptoms are not present.