Hand Foot and Mouth Disease

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (or HFMD) refers to a human disorder caused as a result of intestinal viruses of the Picornaviridae family, the most common ones being Coxsackie A virus and Enterovirus 71 (EV-71). It is commonly found among infant babies and children, and is somewhat contagious, as it can spread by direct contact with the saliva, mucus or feces of the affected person. It normally occurs in small epidemics during summer and autumn season, while the incubation period usually stands at 3-7 days. HFMD is often misunderstood as foot-and-mouth disease that affects sheep, swine and cattle. It is nowhere related to this disease, primarily because it results from the Picornaviridae family member.