A member asked:

What causes foot and mouth disease virus and what is the treatment and prevention of it ?

2 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

Hand, Foot & Mouth: Hand-foot-and-mouth disease is caused by a virus called an enterovirus. The virus spreads easily through coughing and sneezing. It can also spread through infected stool, such as when you change a diaper or when a young child gets stool on his or her hands and then touches objects that other children put in their mouths. Often the disease breaks out within a community.

Answered 2/3/2013

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Dr. Ralph Morgan Lewis answered

Specializes in Family Medicine

2 different entities: Foot/hoof & mouth ds is problematic viral illness of animals (cloven hooves primarily); human r very rarely infected. Hand, foot, & mouth ds is mild viral (coxsackievirus) illness affecting children primarily, who have oral sores & rash on hands & feet. Handwashing imperative since virus stays in body for weeks. See doc if child at risk for dehydration d/t fever & poor fluid intake. Treat symptoms.

Answered 12/9/2013

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What is the treatment for a toddler with hand foot & mouth disease?

A doctor has provided 1 answer