Hand, foot and mouth disease

Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is caused by a viral infection. It can present with vesicles in the mouth and/or papulo-vesicles to the hands or feet. It is usually caused by the Coxsackie A16 virus and, less commonly, enterovirus 71.¹ HFMD is generally a mild, self-limiting viral infection in children and in some cases there may not be clinical symptoms. Adults are less commonly affected.¹

Complications are rare. However, there may be neurological complications, such as encephalitis or meningitis, and pulmonary complications, such as oedema and pneumonia, associated with enterovirus 71 infection.²

Oral intake may be affected so the most usual complication is dehydration, particularly in children.