About Hoof & Mouth Disease in Adults

Hoof and mouth disease is caused by a virus that affects the inside of the mouth, the palm of the hands and the bottoms of feet. It mainly affects children due to their lack of antibodies, but can affect adults, as well. Symptoms in adults are the same as children. Animals can also contract a type of hoof and mouth disease, but it is caused by a different virus that does not affect humans. Likewise, the human virus does not affect animals. This disease occurs more often in the summer.

Symptoms

Symptoms may appear flu-like with a fever, loss of appetite and a sore throat. Small blisters appear in the mouth a few days after the onset of fever. Blisters normally progress to ulcers on the tongue, gums and inside the cheek and can be painful. A rash develops on the hands and feet and sometimes in the private areas. Those affected may only show symptoms in the mouth, or only the hands and feet.

Cause

The virus coxsackievirus A16 and sometimes enterovirus 71 are normally the cause of this disease. Other viruses in the same groups can cause this disease, as well.

Transfer

Like the common cold, this virus is spread through physical contact or contact with an infected surface. The affected person can continue to be contagious for weeks, even if no symptoms are present. Adults can be contagious without any symptoms. Immunity to a particular virus may develop after exposure, but since there are several viruses in the same group, infection by another virus can cause an outbreak to reoccur.

Diagnosis

Lab tests may take a few weeks to return results, so many doctors will not send out a culture for examination. A doctor may diagnose hoof and mouth disease by considering the age of the patient and by visual and physical symptoms.

Treatment and Prevention

According to cdc.gov, there is no treatment or vaccine for this disease, although medications can be taken to relieve the symptoms. There are mouth sprays for topical numbing and medications to help lower fever and pain discomfort. The rash found on the hands and feet typically are not itchy, so an anti-itch medicine such as Benadryl is generally not prescribed. It is important to stay hydrated when you have a fever.

Frequent hand washing and surface washing is highly encouraged to control the spread of the virus. Close contact such as kissing, hugging or sharing utensils is discouraged.

References

• Disease Facts
• Viral Diseases