What is hand foot and mouth disease?
Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common viral illness of infants and children. It is characterized by fever, sores in the mouth, and a skin rash. HFMD begins with a mild fever, poor appetite, malaise (feeling vaguely unwell), and often a sore throat. One or 2 days after the fever begins, painful sores 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. The skin rash develops over 1 to 2 days, with flat or raised red spots and sometimes with blisters. The skin rash does not itch and is usually on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. It may also appear on the buttocks or genitalia. A person with HFMD may have only the rash or only the mouth sores. • Is hand, foot, and mouth disease the same as foot-and-mouth disease? No. HFMD is often confused with foot-and-mouth (also called hoof-and-mouth) disease of cattle, sheep, and swine. Although the names are s
