Definition Hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) is a contagious virus infection most likely to affect children below the age of ten. Its most noticeable symptoms are sores in the mouth and a rash on the hands, soles of the feet, and sometimes the buttocks. HFMD should not be confused with foot-and-mouth (sometimes called hoof-and-mouth) disease, which is a virus infection that affects cattle, pigs, and sheep. Humans cannot get the animal disease, and they cannot transmit HFMD to household pets or other animals. Description Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is largely a disease of young children in the United States. It often spreads rapidly in schools, day care centers, and other places where large numbers of children may be in close contact. The viruses that cause HFMD belong to a group of viruses called enteroviruses, which get their name from the fact that they are commonly found in the human digestive tract. The two most common enteroviruses that cause HFMD are called enterovirus 71 (EV71)...
Encyclopedia Health of Diseases and Disorders