Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is caused by a number of enteroviruses, such as enterovirus 17. HFMD is not to be confused with foot and mouth disease, which is a disease affecting sheep, cattle and swine, and which is completely unrelated to HFMD.
HFMD usually affects infants and children, and is quite common. It is moderately contagious and is spread through direct contact with the mucus or feces of an infected person.
Symptoms of HFMD include:
Symptoms
Not all symptoms may be present.