What are the symptoms of hand, foot, and mouth disease in adults?

Patient's question:

No

Doctor's answer:

Hello, hand, foot, and mouth disease is one of the common infectious diseases caused by enteroviruses, primarily affecting infants and young children under the age of 5. It can cause fever and rash or ulcers on the hands, feet, and mouth. In some cases, it may lead to fatal complications such as myocarditis, pulmonary edema, and aseptic meningitis and encephalitis. There are over 20 types of enteroviruses that can cause hand, foot, and mouth disease, with Coxackie virus being the most common.
The source of infection for this disease is humans, including patients, asymptomatic carriers, and those with subclinical infections, who are the main sources of transmission during outbreaks. During an epidemic, patients are the primary source of infection. In the acute phase, patients excrete the virus in their feces for 3 to 5 weeks and in their throat for 1 to 2 weeks. Healthy carriers and mild, sporadic cases are the main sources of transmission during interepidemic periods and outbreaks.