Overview
Hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) is a highly contagious viral infection that occurs mainly in the mouth, on the feet, and on the hands. It affects younger children severely. The infection typically spreads from child to child, and from child to parents. Resolution can be expected within a week.
Cause
Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is caused by the coxsackievirus. Isolated cases can occur, and epidemics occur regularly.
Physician-developed and -monitored.
Original Date of Publication: 01 Sep 2000
Reviewed by: Stanley J. Swierzewski, III, M.D.
Last Reviewed: 04 Dec 2007
Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease, Overview, Cause reprinted with permission from dermatologychannel.net
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