9 Symptoms of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a contagious viral infection that is common in young children, especially those under the age of ten; however, it can affect older ones and adults. It is commonly characterized by mouth sores and rashes on the hands and feet. This infection is mainly caused by coxsackie viruses. It is important to note that this infection is not related to the foot and mouth disease that usually affect cattle.The viruses of hand, foot & mouth disease can spread from one person to another. If you get into contact with an infected person's sneezing, blister fluids, saliva or feces, you can get infected too. This viral disease can also be spread through direct contact with unwashed hands or a contaminated surface.The signs and symptoms of hand, foot & mouth disease start to manifest three to seven days after infection has occurred.

1. Pain While Swallowing

If you are infected with hand, foot & mouth disease you can experience pain when eating and when swallowing foods. This is because the disease causes a painful sore throat and mouth that make you feel pain when touched by food in the swallowing process. After one or two days of infection, you will develop red spots in your mouth and on the tongue. These red spots usually start at the back of your mouth and will fast develop into larger spots – mouth ulcers or can develop into mouth herpangina. These ulcers are the major cause of pain while swallowing foods and drinks to the infected person.Next