Have you heard of HFMD (coxsackievirus)?

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is a febrile disorder usually caused by coxsackievirus A16. Infection produces a vesicular eruption of skin and mucosa.

There is no specific treatment for hand, foot and mouth disease. Individual symptoms, such as fever, lameness and pain from the sores, may be eased with the use of medication. HFMD is a viral disease that has to run its course; many doctors do not issue medicine for this illness, unless the infection is severe. It is usually in the affected child's best interest to be kept home until the infection clears. Fever reducers will help to control high temperatures. Luke-warm baths will also help bring temperature down.

Only a very small minority require hospital admission, mainly as a result of neurological complications (encephalitis, meningitis or acute flaccid paralysis) or pulmonary edema/pulmonary hemorrhage.

Antibiotics only work against bacteria and not against viruses. HFMD is not to be confused with Hoof-and-mouth disease, which is a disease affecting sheep, cattle and swine, and which is unrelated to HFMD (but also caused by a member of the Picornaviridae family).

Please see the web pages for more details on Hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD).

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