Patient's question:
Got hand, foot, and mouth disease, and it's already gone, but my tongue has broken again these last couple of days. Is this urgent?? Shouldn't it be impossible to get it again after having had it??？？？？? Need better helpDoctor's answer:
The viruses that cause hand, foot, and mouth disease are not limited to one type. After each virus infection, the body produces additional antibodies specific to that virus. Even in asymptomatic infections, where the patient does not show symptoms after being infected, they are unlikely to contract the same type of hand, foot, and mouth disease again in the future. However, this does not mean that patients who have had hand, foot, and mouth disease will never get it again. Other viruses can still transmit the infection. Based on the situation you described, hand, foot, and mouth disease can occur, but it depends on the circumstances. A broken tongue could also be due to a heat-related sore, not necessarily a case of hand, foot, and mouth disease. It is recommended to go to the hospital for a definitive diagnosis before starting treatment.