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Definition
Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is a mild, contagious viral infection common in young children. Characterized by sores in the mouth and a rash on the hands and feet, hand-foot-and-mouth disease is most commonly caused by a coxsackievirus.
There's no specific treatment for hand-foot-and-mouth disease. You can reduce your risk of infection from hand-foot-and-mouth disease by practicing good hygiene, such as washing your hands often and thoroughly.
- Hand, foot, & mouth disease (HFMD). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/enterovirus/hfhf.htm. Accessed June 22, 2009.
- Enteroviruses - non polio. World Health Organization. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs174/en/print.html. Accessed June 22, 2009.
- Hand, foot and mouth disease. American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. http://www.aocd.org/skin/dermatologic_diseases/hand_foot_mouth_disease.html. Accessed June 22, 2009.
- Non-polio enterovirus infections. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/enterovirus/non-polio_entero.htm. Accessed June 26, 2009.
