{"id":1615,"date":"2018-08-03T10:30:59","date_gmt":"2018-08-03T08:30:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.mediquo.com\/?p=1615"},"modified":"2020-11-04T12:55:26","modified_gmt":"2020-11-04T11:55:26","slug":"mouth-hands-and-feet-virus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mediquo.com\/blog\/en\/pediatrics\/mouth-hands-and-feet-virus\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the mouth, hands and feet virus?"},"content":{"rendered":"

You took your baby to the emergency room for a fever and some strange rashes and you have returned home with the diagnosis of \u201cmouth-hand-foot virus\u201d. Now you have questions. What is this disease and why does it have such a strange name? Is it bad? <\/span><\/p>\n

The medical name of this disease is viral <\/span>exanthem of mouth-hands-feet<\/b>. It is an infection caused by a virus with an unpronounceable name (Coxsackie A16) that, in fact, is very common, especially in the warmer months of the year. V<\/strong><\/span>ery young children, particularly babies and preschoolers\u00a0<\/b>are usually affected.\u00a0It is not a serious disease, but can be very annoying for children.<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the symptoms<\/h4>\n

It starts with a common cold: <\/span>fever, sore throat, discomfort and lack of appetite<\/b>. But then come the characteristic symptoms, which are what give it its name: <\/span>rashes and blisters on the inside and around the mouth, on the palms of the hands and on the soles of the feet<\/b>. Sometimes they can also appear on the genital area. <\/span><\/p>\n

These <\/span>rashes are small, flat, red spots, with no scab<\/b>. They can be accompanied by small blisters, especially in areas where there is friction (for example, in the diaper fold). In the mouth, they can have the shape of sores or small ulcers, which are usually painful.<\/span><\/p>\n

Is it painful? Is it dangerous?<\/h4>\n

The <\/span>mouth-hand-foot virus is very contagious<\/b>, so it is normal that, if there is more than one child at home, they all catch it at once. However, do not be alarmed; it is a <\/span>benign infection<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The virus is <\/span>spread through body fluids: saliva, urine and feces<\/b>. It feeds on the little people who do not yet have a fully developed immune system (as is the case with children). Although, healthy adults can also be infected. <\/span><\/p>\n

That\u2019s why, when we have a small infected person at home, we <\/span>have to take hygiene seriously<\/b>:<\/span><\/p>\n