Question
What is Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease? What are the symptoms? What are the risks?
Answer
Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease is a common infectious disease caused by enteroviruses, primarily affecting children. Symptoms include fever, oral ulcers, and rashes on the hands, feet, and sometimes in the mouth. Although most cases are mild, severe cases can lead to complications such as encephalitis. The illness is self-limiting and typically resolves within about a week. Treatment usually involves symptomatic and antiviral therapy. It’s also important to maintain a light diet, ensure good indoor ventilation, and avoid contact with other children to prevent cross-infection.