$Unique_ID{BRK03798} $Pretitle{} $Title{Hand-Foot-Mouth Syndrome} $Subject{Hand-Foot-Mouth Syndrome Vesicular Stomatitis with Exanthem Hand Foot and Mouth Disease HFMS Varicella Zoster Virus Herpangina Encephalitis} $Volume{} $Log{} Copyright (C) 1989 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. 743: Hand-Foot-Mouth Syndrome ** IMPORTANT ** It is possible that the main title of the article (Hand-Foot-Mouth Syndrome) is not the name you expected. Please check the SYNONYM listing to find the alternate names and disorder subdivisions covered by this article. Synonyms Vesicular Stomatitis with Exanthem Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease HFMS Information on the following diseases can be found in the Related Disorders section of this report: Varicella Zoster Virus Herpangina Encephalitis General Discussion ** REMINDER ** The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources" section of this report. Hand-Foot-Mouth Syndrome is a common mild viral disease that occurs in young children. It is characterized by a rash of small blister-like lesions. These blisters usually occur on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet and in the mouth. Symptoms Hand-Foot-Mouth Syndrome is a mild viral infection that occurs in young children. It is sometimes epidemic in geographic areas. It is characterized by blister-like lesions that appear on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet and in the mouth. These lesions occasionally may appear on the buttocks, extremities or genitals. They may group together and eventually ulcerate. There may also be a sore throat, headache, fever of 100 to 102 degrees F, loss of appetite or refusal to eat due to the lesions in the mouth, especially those on the cheek and tongue. Causes Hand-Foot-Mouth Syndrome is caused by a virus. It is believed to be caused by the coxsackie virus A16 or by enterovirus 71. Affected Population Hand-Foot-Mouth Syndrome affects males and females in equal numbers and is common in young children. Related Disorders Symptoms of the following disorders can be similar to those of Hand-Foot- Mouth Syndrome. Comparisons may be useful for a differential diagnosis: The varicella-zoster virus is a herpes virus that causes chickenpox during childhood, and shingles (herpes zoster) during adulthood. It is characterized by a sore throat, runny nose, a general feeling of discomfort and a blister-like rash. (For more information on this disorder, choose "Varicella" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database. Herpangina is a viral infection that usually affects infants and young children. It is characterized by a sore throat with fever, headache, loss of appetite, and pains in the abdomen, neck and extremities. Vomiting and convulsions may occur in infants. Within two days a small number (usually less than 12) of elevated pimple-like lesions appear on the tonsils, soft palate, uvula or tongue. These lesions eventually become shallow ulcers and will heal within 5 days. The following disorder may be associated with Hand-Foot-Mouth Syndrome as a complication of severe cases. It is not necessary for a differential diagnosis: Encephalitis is an inflammation of all or of the brain, and at times the spinal cord. It can be caused by viruses such as the St. Louis, Western Equine, California, Mumps, ECHO and coxsackie viruses. When it involves the membranes (meninges) it is called Meningoencephalitis; when it extends to the spinal cord it is called Encephalomyelitis. (For more information on this disorder, choose "Encephalitis" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database.) Therapies: Standard There is no specific treatment for Hand-Foot-Mouth Syndrome. Calamine lotion may have a soothing effect on the rash and acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol), given every 4 hours will help reduce the fever and headache. Aspirin should NOT be given to children with viral diseases, because it can cause Reye Syndrome. (For more information on this disorder, choose "Reye" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database.) Other treatment is symptomatic and supportive. Therapies: Investigational At the present time, a study is being conducted on the effectiveness of the drug murine interferon, as a treatment for coxsackievirus type A 16 (CA-16) or enterovirus type 71 (EV 71). More research must be conducted to determine long-term safety and effectiveness of this drug. Therapies: Investigational This disease entry is based upon medical information available through January 1990. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder. Resources For more information on Hand-Foot-Mouth Syndrome, please contact: National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) P.O. Box 8923 New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783 (203) 746-6518 Centers for Disease Control (CDC) 1600 Clifton Road, NE Atlanta, GA 30333 (404) 329-3534 NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases 9000 Rockville Pike Bethesda, MD 20892 (301) 496-5717 References INTERNAL MEDICINE, 2nd Ed.: Jay H. Stein, ed.-in-chief; Little, Brown and Co., 1987. Pp. 1569. THE MERCK MANUAL, 15th Ed.: Robert Berkow, M.D., ed.-in-chief; Merck, Sharp & Dohme Laboratories., 1987. Pp. 2034. OUTBREAK OF ENTEROVIRUS 71 INFECTION IN VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA, WITH A HIGH INCIDENCE OF NEUROLOGICAL INVOLVEMENT. G. Gilbert, et al.; PEDIATR INFECT DIS J (July 1988, issue 7 (7)). Pp. 484-488. HAND, FOOT, AND MOUTH DISEASE. A. Buchner, (March 1976, issue 41 (3)). Pp. 333-337. PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF INTERFERON ON INFECTIONS WITH HAND, FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE VIRUS IN NEWBORN MICE. D. Sasaki, et al.; J INFECT DIS (March 1986, issue 153 (3)). Pp. 498-502.