Mouth-hand-foot virus

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Outbreaks of the disease are more common in summer and autumn in the United States and other temperate climates. In tropical climates, outbreaks occur year-round. Hand-foot-and-mouth disease isn't related to foot-and-mouth disease sometimes called hoof-and-mouth disease , which is an infectious viral disease found in farm animals. You can't contract hand-foot-and-mouth disease from pets or other animals, and you can't transmit it to them. Hand-foot-and-mouth disease primarily affects children younger than age 10, often those under 5 years.

Children in child care centers are especially susceptible to outbreaks of hand-foot-and-mouth disease because the infection spreads by person-to-person contact, and young children are the most susceptible. Children usually develop immunity to hand-foot-and-mouth disease as they get older by building antibodies after exposure to the virus that causes the disease.

However, it's possible for adolescents and adults to get the disease. The most common complication of hand-foot-and-mouth disease is dehydration. The illness can cause sores in the mouth and throat, making swallowing painful and difficult.

Watch closely to make sure your child frequently sips fluid during the course of the illness. If dehydration is severe, intravenous IV fluids may be necessary. A rare and sometimes serious form of the coxsackievirus can involve the brain and cause other complications:. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press.

This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. There is debate as to any congenital disorders related to Coxsackie viral infections and pregnancy.

Pregnant women should consult their obstetrician for further information. Navigation menu. Who gets hand, foot and mouth disease? How is it spread? What are the symptoms and when do they start? When and how long can someone spread the disease?

How is hand, foot and mouth disease diagnosed? Other coxsackieviruses can also cause the illness. Although rare, EV-A71 has been associated with more severe diseases such as encephalitis swelling of the brain. Animals do not get hand, foot, and mouth disease Animals such as cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats can get foot and mouth disease or hoof-and-mouth disease , which is different than hand, foot, and mouth disease.

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