</s>Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common viral illness of infants and children. The disease causes fever and blister-like eruptions in the mouth and/or a skin rash. HFMD is often confused with foot-and-mouth (also called hoof-and-mouth) disease, a disease of cattle, sheep, and swine; however, the two diseases are not related—they are caused by different viruses. Humans do not get the animal disease, and animals do not get the human disease. <br/>
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<B><s></s>Illness <e></e></B><br/>
-The disease usually begins with a fever, poor appetite, malaise (feeling vaguely unwell), and often with a sore throat. <br/>
- One or 2 days after fever onset, painful sores usually develop in the mouth. They begin as small red spots that blister and then often become ulcers. The sores are usually located on the tongue, gums, and inside of the cheeks. <br/>
- A non-itchy skin rash develops over 1–2 days. The rash has flat or raised red spots, sometimes with blisters. The rash is usually located on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet; it may also appear on the buttocks and/or genitalia. <br/>
- A person with HFMD may have only the rash or only the mouth sores. <br/>
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<B><s></s>Treatment and Medical Management <e></e></B><br/>
There is no specific treatment for HFMD. <br/>
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Symptoms can be treated to provide relief from pain from mouth sores and from fever and aches: <br/>
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Fever can be treated with antipyretics (drugs that reduce fevers). <br/>
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Pain can be treated with acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or other over-the-counter pain relievers. <br/>
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Mouthwashes or sprays that numb pain can be used to lessen mouth pain. <br/>
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Fluid intake should be enough to prevent dehydration (lack of body fluids). If moderate-to-severe dehydration develops, it can be treated medically by giving fluids through the veins.
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