Can Adults Also Get Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease? How Should You Handle It If Your Child Has Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease?

Question

Can adults also get hand, foot, and mouth disease? How should you handle it if your child has hand, foot, and mouth disease?

Answer

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is an infectious disease caused by enteroviruses, commonly seen in children under the age of 5, but adults can also be infected, although the rate is lower and symptoms are generally milder. The treatment for children with the disease depends on the severity of the condition. Generally, most cases are not severe and only require rest and symptomatic treatment.