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Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD)

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common viral illness of infants and children. The disease causes fever and blister-like eruptions in the mouth and/or a skin rash.

Illness

The disease usually begins with a fever, poor appetite, malaise (feeling vaguely unwell), and often with a sore throat.

One or 2 days after fever onset, painful sores usually develop in the mouth. They begin as small red spots that blister and then often become ulcers. The sores are usually located on the tongue, gums, and inside of the cheeks.

A non-itchy skin rash develops over 1–2 days. The rash has flat or raised red spots, sometimes with blisters. The rash is usually located on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet; it may also appear on the buttocks and/or genitalia.

A person with HFMD may have only the rash or only the mouth sores.

Cause of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

HFMD is caused by viruses that belong to the enterovirus genus (group). This group of viruses includes polioviruses, coxsackieviruses, echoviruses, and enteroviruses.

How Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Is Spread

Infection is spread from person to person by direct contact with infectious virus. Infectious virus is found in the nose and throat secretions, saliva, blister fluid, and stool of infected persons. The virus is most often spread by persons with unwashed, virus-contaminated hands and by contact with virus-contaminated surfaces.

Prevention of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

A specific preventive for HFMD is not available, but the risk of infection can be lowered by following good hygiene practices.

Good hygiene practices that can lower the risk of infection include washing hands frequently and correctly and especially after changing diapers and after using the toilet。

The standard of the returning to school

After 7 days symptoms disappeared or 2-3weeks medical institutions diagnosis.