Doctors warn of spike in hand, foot, mouth disease
Multiple news organizations are reporting an increase in hand, foot, and mouth disease across the South and Northeast.
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a common viral illness that usually affects infants and children younger than 5 years old. However, it can sometimes occur in older children and adults. Typical symptoms of hand, foot, and mouth disease include fever, mouth sores, and a skin rash.
The short-term illness is often confused with foot-and-mouth disease (also called hoof-and-mouth disease), which affects cattle, sheep, and swine. However, the two diseases are caused by different viruses and are not related.
People infected with hand, foot, and mouth disease can spread it to others when they cough or sneeze. You can also get hand, foot, and mouth disease if you come into contact with an infected person’s blister fluid or feces (poop). Lower your risk of being infected by doing the following:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water
- Disinfect dirty surfaces and soiled items
- Avoid close contact such as kissing, hugging, or sharing eating utensils or cups with infected people