Hand-Foot-And-Mouth Disease

What are the signs and symptoms of the disease?

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease produces a characteristic rash inside the mouth and on the hands and feet. In younger children, the rash may also occur on the thighs, buttocks, and trunk. The lesions inside the mouth are usually mildly painful yellow ulcers with a red halo. The lesions on the skin usually start as red areas that may or may not be itchy. The lesions may change to gray blisters with thick walls.

Before the rash develops, the person may have other symptoms, including:

HFM disease is usually a minor illness with only a few days of fever and relatively mild symptoms. Rarely, a severe form of HFM disease caused by enterovirus 71 can involve the brain. Viral meningitis, encephalitis, or paralysis can result.