Hand-foot-and-mouth disease

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is a disease caused by the Coxsackie A16 virus and other groups of enteroviruses. It often affects children and young people, rarely adults. Transmission is faecal-oral but, in acute stages, the virus can be transmitted by salivary and respiratory pathways. After incubating for 3-6 days, the virus begins to replicate which either leads to a spontaneous resolution of the disease or a viraemia major with the occurrence of the clinical form. Following a prodromal state similar to influenza (fever, asthenia, general malaise, pharyngitis, vomit, headache, myalgia), numerous palmo-plantar and intra-oral macules and erythematous papules can present, developing into vesicles and ulcers. The patient will have difficulty eating with superficial, cutaneous itching, which can extend to the flexor surfaces of the limbs. The disease disappears spontaneously after 7-10 days. It is important to isolate the virus in the pharynges or faeces. Anti-bodies are present in the initial phases of the infection. There is no specific treatment but the patient should receive support regarding difficulties associated with eating.