Hand-foot-mouth disease is a contagious illness that strikes predominantly infants and children that is characterized by fever, mouth sores, and a rash with blistering. Two types of viruses cause the disease. The majority of cases are due to several members of the Coxsackie virus group (subtypes A16, A5, and A10). A type of enterovirus designated as enterovirus 71 also causes the disease, but is of minor importance.

The name of the disease has caused confusion with the well-known hoof and mouth disease. However, hand-foot-mouth disease is entirely different from hoof and mouth disease that strikes cattle, sheep, and swine, causes entirely different symptoms, and which is caused by a different virus.

The disease was initially described and the viral agents determined in 1957.

Hand-foot-mouth disease begins with a general feeling of being unwell. A mild fever, poor appetite, and sore throat leads within a few days to the...