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Hand-foot-and-mouth disease

(Science: infectious disease) hand, foot and mouth disease is a mild, highly infectious viral disease of children, characterised by vesicular lesions in the mouth and on the hands and feet. Occurs most often in young children (under 3) and is transmitted via close contact.

outbreaks occur most often in the spring. Usually begins as a throat infection (pharyngitis) that later includes a rash (blisters) on the hands, feet and diaper area. Blisters may also appear on the throat and in the mouth.

Other features include anorexia, headache and fever. The illness is typically self-limited, lasting 5-7 days. There is no specific treatment other than general supportive care.

An exanthematous eruption of small, pearl-gray vesicles of the fingers, toes, palms, and soles, accompanied by often painful vesicles and ulceration of the buccal mucous membrane and the tongue and by slight fever; the disease lasts 4 to 7 days, and is usually caused by Coxsackie virus type a-16, but other types have been identified.