Hand foot and mouth disease
What is Hand foot and mouth disease?
Hand-foot-and-mouth disease (not related to foot-and-mouth disease seen in animals) is a suddenly appearing disease caused by viruses. The incubation period is short, from three to six days. The disease is highly contagious and often spreads from child to child and then from child to adult, mainly through direct contact with nasal and/or oral secretions and stool contact. Complications from hand-foot-and-mouth disease rarely occur, but they may include pneumonia, inflammation of the heart or brain, or miscarriage in pregnant women who become infected.
