Hand Foot and Mouth Disease

Hand, foot and mouth disease is an exanthemateous disorder usually seen in children and generally caused by Coxsackie virus A 16. This infection manifests it self with a typical clinical pattern. It usually affects children under 10 years of age. Incubation period is 3-6 days. The clinical symptoms manifest themselves with low grade fever, cough, malaise and a sore mouth and throat. Lesions usually disappear within 10-14 days. The exanthemas are first in maculopapular form and changes to vesicules. They are found in mouth, hand and foot. The treatment of this disease is symptomatic. It is very important to establish the right diagnosis to avoid epidemics.