Monday, August 18, 2008

What is Hand, foot, and mouth disease

The virus (actually a group of viruses) - commonly known as hand, foot, and mouth disease - usually strikes children between the ages of two and six, but babies are susceptible, too. It's highly contagious and is easily transmitted through coughing and sneezing. Not surprisingly, outbreaks are common in nurseries and playgroups. The virus is also spread through faeces, so hygiene in the home is very important.

Although the condition is uncomfortable, it's not at all serious. Unfortunately, a child is most contagious in the week before symptoms appear, so it can be hard to anticipate or prevent. Typically, the incubation period is three to six days.

In some countries the virus is called Coxsackie, after the town of Coxsackie, New York, where the virus was first identified.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Chelley,
OOHH after reading this entry now I know what it is.... We call it Coxsackie here in NY.. lol Dmitriy got it by his mouth last Easter. We gave him his own towels and cups. It didn't hurt him at all, he just got a bad rash under his bottom lip. He sucks him thumb alot and was learnin to use the bathroom without help at the time so you figure out the math.. haha Well hope all is well & keep in touch... mockba0204@optonline.net

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Paula said...

I am so sorry for you and your family. What an awful thing to go through. poor little miss in the hospital. I pray she's doing better now.